Abilene Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
Abilene Regional Airport is a public airport
located three statute miles (5 km) southeast of the central business district
of Abilene
, a city in Taylor County
, Texas
, United States
. It is within the Abilene city limits and owned and operated by the City of Abilene.
The majority of aircraft operations at the airport are general aviation and military training. However, ABI is most visible as the commercial airline and air freight hub for the Abilene region. Abilene Regional is currently served by just one commercial airline, American Eagle Airlines
, with 7 daily regional jet flights to Dallas-Ft. Worth. Continental Connection
ceased operations to-from Houston
in October 2008, citing high fuel prices as a factor. Allegiant Airlines operated twice-weekly flights to Las Vegas
from 2006-07, but the service was discontinued due to low passenger loads on the airline's MD-80 aircraft. Charter airlines such as Sun Country continue to serve ABI with frequent large-jet flights to Las Vegas, however.
The acquisition of new airline service, especially to west-bound airline hubs such as Phoenix or Denver, is a top priority for airport management. Due to Abilene's relatively close driving distance to Dallas-Ft. Worth, many area residents have historically chosen to drive to DFW rather than fly out of ABI. Thus, airlines have always had trouble making a profit flying traditional jetliners out of ABI. The advent of 50-seat regional jets, which fly as high and as fast as larger planes, has the potential to provide air service from Abilene to cities that were previously out of the question.
Overnight air freight service is provided primarily by FedEx
; DHL
ceased operations at the airport in late 2008 as part of the company's exit from the domestic U.S. market. Other air freight subcontractors also provide service to ABI, though both UPS
and USPS primarily truck their overnight packages in from Dallas-Fort Worth. In addition, Southwest Medevac houses a medical helicopter and crew at the airport, available for emergency response 24/7. The city's other emergency medical helicopter service is provided by Lifeteam Air Evac, with its aircraft and crew stationed at Hendrick Medical Center.
Abilene Regional is also home to Eagle Aviation Services, Inc., which is a heavy-maintenance base for all American Eagle
aircraft. Basically every plane in the airline's fleet is maintained at ABI. Texas State Technical College provides aviation maintenance training at its on-field hangar base.
Historically, Trans-Texas Airways, which later became Texas International, had prop-jet
service from Amarillo and Lubbock as well as DC-9 jet service to Dallas Love Field and then DFW. The original Frontier Airlines served Abilene via Midland for a short time in 1985 with a 737.
paved runway
s: 4/22 measuring 3,678 x 100 ft (1,121 x 30 m), 17L/35R measuring 7,198 x 150 ft (2,194 x 46 m), and 17R/35L measuring 7,202 x 150 ft (2,195 x 46 m).
The terminal building has seen many expansions and improvements over the past decade. The upper level houses the airline ticket counters, restaurant, gift shop, airport offices, and two departure gates, each equipped with Jetway
boarding bridges. The lower level has two baggage carousels, and car-rental agencies.
The most recent improvements include the reconstruction of the airline ramps near the terminal, and the construction of a new, expanded public parking lot. The new parking lot features 731 covered parking spaces, with direct escalator access to the upper level.
Construction of the airport's new 130 feet (39.6 m)-tall control tower began in August 2010 and is expected to be completed no later than January 2012. This new, modern tower will replace the current tower, a 65 feet (19.8 m) structure built in 1959.
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 78,462 aircraft operations, an average of 214 per day: 50% general aviation
, 32% military, 18% air taxi
and <1% scheduled commercial. There are 98 aircraft based at this airport: 78% single-engine, 16% multi-engine, 5% jet and 1% helicopter
.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located three statute miles (5 km) southeast of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Abilene
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
, a city in Taylor County
Taylor County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 126,555 people, 47,274 households, and 32,524 families residing in the county. The population density was 138 people per square mile . There were 52,056 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is within the Abilene city limits and owned and operated by the City of Abilene.
The majority of aircraft operations at the airport are general aviation and military training. However, ABI is most visible as the commercial airline and air freight hub for the Abilene region. Abilene Regional is currently served by just one commercial airline, American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle Airlines is a brand name used by American Eagle Airlines, Inc. , based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Executive Airlines based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the operation of passenger air service as regional affiliates of American Airlines. All three airlines are wholly owned subsidiaries...
, with 7 daily regional jet flights to Dallas-Ft. Worth. Continental Connection
Colgan Air
Colgan Air, Inc. is an American certificated regional airline subsidiary of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. The headquarters of Colgan Air are located in Memphis, Tennessee....
ceased operations to-from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
in October 2008, citing high fuel prices as a factor. Allegiant Airlines operated twice-weekly flights to Las Vegas
McCarran International Airport
McCarran International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States. The airport is located five miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise in Clark County. It covers an area of and...
from 2006-07, but the service was discontinued due to low passenger loads on the airline's MD-80 aircraft. Charter airlines such as Sun Country continue to serve ABI with frequent large-jet flights to Las Vegas, however.
The acquisition of new airline service, especially to west-bound airline hubs such as Phoenix or Denver, is a top priority for airport management. Due to Abilene's relatively close driving distance to Dallas-Ft. Worth, many area residents have historically chosen to drive to DFW rather than fly out of ABI. Thus, airlines have always had trouble making a profit flying traditional jetliners out of ABI. The advent of 50-seat regional jets, which fly as high and as fast as larger planes, has the potential to provide air service from Abilene to cities that were previously out of the question.
Overnight air freight service is provided primarily by FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
; DHL
DHL
DHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....
ceased operations at the airport in late 2008 as part of the company's exit from the domestic U.S. market. Other air freight subcontractors also provide service to ABI, though both UPS
United Parcel Service
United Parcel Service, Inc. , typically referred to by the acronym UPS, is a package delivery company. Headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States, UPS delivers more than 15 million packages a day to 6.1 million customers in more than 220 countries and territories around the...
and USPS primarily truck their overnight packages in from Dallas-Fort Worth. In addition, Southwest Medevac houses a medical helicopter and crew at the airport, available for emergency response 24/7. The city's other emergency medical helicopter service is provided by Lifeteam Air Evac, with its aircraft and crew stationed at Hendrick Medical Center.
Abilene Regional is also home to Eagle Aviation Services, Inc., which is a heavy-maintenance base for all American Eagle
American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle Airlines is a brand name used by American Eagle Airlines, Inc. , based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Executive Airlines based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the operation of passenger air service as regional affiliates of American Airlines. All three airlines are wholly owned subsidiaries...
aircraft. Basically every plane in the airline's fleet is maintained at ABI. Texas State Technical College provides aviation maintenance training at its on-field hangar base.
Historically, Trans-Texas Airways, which later became Texas International, had prop-jet
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
service from Amarillo and Lubbock as well as DC-9 jet service to Dallas Love Field and then DFW. The original Frontier Airlines served Abilene via Midland for a short time in 1985 with a 737.
Facilities and aircraft
Abilene Regional Airport covers an area of 1686 acres (682.3 ha) which contains three asphaltAsphalt
Asphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
paved runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s: 4/22 measuring 3,678 x 100 ft (1,121 x 30 m), 17L/35R measuring 7,198 x 150 ft (2,194 x 46 m), and 17R/35L measuring 7,202 x 150 ft (2,195 x 46 m).
The terminal building has seen many expansions and improvements over the past decade. The upper level houses the airline ticket counters, restaurant, gift shop, airport offices, and two departure gates, each equipped with Jetway
Jetway
A jet bridge is an enclosed, movable connector which extends from an airport terminal gate to an airplane, allowing passengers to board and disembark without having to go outside...
boarding bridges. The lower level has two baggage carousels, and car-rental agencies.
The most recent improvements include the reconstruction of the airline ramps near the terminal, and the construction of a new, expanded public parking lot. The new parking lot features 731 covered parking spaces, with direct escalator access to the upper level.
Construction of the airport's new 130 feet (39.6 m)-tall control tower began in August 2010 and is expected to be completed no later than January 2012. This new, modern tower will replace the current tower, a 65 feet (19.8 m) structure built in 1959.
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 78,462 aircraft operations, an average of 214 per day: 50% general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
, 32% military, 18% air taxi
Air taxi
An air taxi is an air charter passenger or cargo aircraft which operates on an on-demand basis.-Regulation:In the United States, air taxi and air charter operations are governed by Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations , unlike the larger scheduled air carriers which are governed by more...
and <1% scheduled commercial. There are 98 aircraft based at this airport: 78% single-engine, 16% multi-engine, 5% jet and 1% helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
.