Laughlin – Bullhead City Int’lAirport seeks $850,000 grant

BULLHEAD CITY – The Mohave County Airport Authority (MCAA) submitted an application on July 25, 2024, for an $850,000 grant through the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The funds aim to attract scheduled passenger airline service to Laughlin-Bullhead City International Airport (IFP).
Jack Penning, managing partner of Volaire Aviation Consulting, confirmed the application’s submission to the Department of Transportation. The program, offering $12 million nationwide, is described as highly competitive.
Over 19 letters of support accompany the application, including one signed by both Arizona Senators. These letters emphasize the potential importance of air service to the region’s growth.
IFP, located one mile north of Bullhead City, Arizona, serves the tri-state area including Laughlin, Nevada, and Needles, California. The airport sits at an elevation of 707 feet and covers 650 acres.
The grant, if approved, would provide a minimum revenue guarantee to help an airline establish and maintain operations at IFP. Penning stated the goal is to reduce an airline’s entry barriers in what he termed a ”risky and difficult-to-forecast market.”
Volaire’s market analysis suggests IFP could potentially serve up to 1.5 million passengers annually with regular airline service. In 2023, the airport reported 148,217 passengers, up from pandemic-era lows but below pre-pandemic levels of 235,000 to 240,000 annual passengers.
The airport features a single runway (16/34) measuring 8,501 feet by 150 feet, capable of handling large commercial aircraft. The terminal complex includes a 10,500-square-foot commercial terminal and a 10,000-square-foot holdroom with three gate areas.
Recommended routes include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Minneapolis. These destinations could serve as both final stops and connecting points to other flights.
Currently, Sun Country Airlines operates daily charter flights for local casinos. The airport also serves as a base for Air Methods/Tri-State CareFlight, an air ambulance service.
Previous attempts at scheduled service, including an American Airlines route to Phoenix in 2018, faced challenges due to limited flight options and suboptimal connection times.
IFP offers various amenities including car rental services from Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis. Fixed base operations for general aviation, business aircraft, and commercial flights are provided by Signature Flight Support.
The Department of Transportation is expected to announce grant decisions between early November 2024 and early 2025. The upcoming elections could potentially affect this timeline.
If approved and implemented successfully, the service could provide an alternative for local residents who currently drive to Las Vegas or Phoenix for flights. The airport estimates its annual economic impact on the local economy at about $150 million.
Jeremy Keating, who has served as Airport Director since 2011, oversees the facility’s operations, management, and development projects. Over the past seven years, the airport has invested more than $35 million in improvements, including a new fire station and runway extension.
–Jeremy Webb