Laughlin-Bullhead Airport seeks additionalfunding for major terminal expansion

RIVER CITIES – The Laughlin-Bullhead City International Airport (IFP) is making significant strides toward establishing scheduled passenger services and expanding its infrastructure. The Mohave County Airport Authority (MCAA) initially submitted an application on July 25, 2024, for an $850,000 grant through the Small Community Air Service Development Program. This grant aims to attract scheduled passenger airline service to IFP, enhancing regional connectivity and boosting the local economy.
Jack Penning, managing partner of Volaire Aviation Consulting, confirmed the submission of the grant application to the Department of Transportation. The Small Community Air Service Development Program, which offers $12 million nationwide, is highly competitive. The application is bolstered by over 19 letters of support, including endorsements from both Arizona Senators, underscoring the critical role that air service could play in the region’s growth.
Located one mile north of Bullhead City, Arizona, IFP serves the tri-state area, including Laughlin, Nevada, and Needles, California. The airport sits at an elevation of 707 feet and covers 650 acres. If approved, the $850,000 grant would provide a minimum revenue guarantee to help an airline establish and maintain operations at IFP, reducing entry barriers in what Penning described as a “risky and difficult-to-forecast market.”
Volaire’s market analysis suggests that IFP could potentially serve up to 1.5 million passengers annually with regular airline service. In 2023, the airport reported 148,217 passengers, a significant increase from pandemic-era lows but still 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 for IFP include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Minneapolis, which could serve as both final stops and connecting points to other flights. Currently, Sun Country Airlines operates daily charter flights for local casinos, and the airport 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.
In December 2024, the Laughlin Town Advisory Board (LTAB) began considering additional funding avenues to support a substantial $40 million expansion project. This project includes building a new passenger terminal and making necessary improvements to accommodate large passenger jets. Airport Director James Scheller presented a five-step plan to the LTAB, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the Clark County Airport Authority, the Mohave County Airport Authority, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
Scheller believes that leveraging funding from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will make the expansion more affordable. The proposed expansion will add a second floor to the passenger terminal, connecting passengers to jetways used to board large jets. Additionally, a walkway project is under consideration for FAA grant funding and IIJA support, with an estimated cost of $3.3 million—two-thirds eligible for the grant and the remaining third funded by the airport for a breach control system.
The Mohave County Airport Authority has already invested $1.4 million in project considerations, including purchasing the fixed-base operation from a private company, commissioning a passenger leakage study, and completing a terminal expansion assessment. The leakage report revealed that 620 travelers from the tri-state area drive to Las Vegas daily to catch flights, highlighting the potential benefits of expanding IFP to alleviate congestion at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
Bullhead City has expressed strong support for the project, with City Manager Toby Cotter stating, “The city supports the airport in many different ways. We have financially supported numerous air services over the years, and we are very interested in seeing scheduled air service at our local airport. This may require a financial commitment from the city once again. We will also support efforts to receive state and federal funds.”
The next steps involve completing the environmental and engineering phase, estimated to cost $2.2 million, with a completion deadline of May 2025 to align with the FAA’s Airport Terminal Project Program. Scheller emphasized the urgency of meeting this deadline, as the FAA’s program will be concluding after 2025.
Additionally, the airport is exploring private investment opportunities for constructing large corporate hangars, which would be funded independently by investors. These projects would bring additional revenue and enhance the airport’s capacity to serve business travelers and private aircraft.
The expanded passenger terminal will feature improved amenities, including a second floor for jetway connections, enhanced security systems, and modernized facilities to accommodate larger aircraft. These upgrades are expected to make IFP a medium hub airport, providing 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, driven by increased tourism, business travel, and related economic activities.
Scheller highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach, stating, “If Clark County Airport Authority and the Mohave County Airport Authority worked collaboratively to make IFP a medium hub airport, the Tri-State area would economically benefit.” He also noted that the walkway project is the only component currently eligible for federal grants, as IFP needed to submit a smaller-scale, shovel-ready project to qualify. The walkway will serve as a crucial connection between buildings, enhancing passenger flow and overall airport functionality.
The terminal expansion also includes a restaurant build-out, which requires local funding. Scheller explained, “The FAA federal grant program has rules about what qualifies for grant money. Local governments can use their capital to contribute to the project or partner with other entities interested in developing portions of the terminal, such as restaurants.”
The environmental and engineering phase is set to be completed by May 2025, with the walkway project expected to be bid-ready by November 2025. This timeline is critical to secure funding from the FAA’s Airport Terminal Project Program before its conclusion. Scheller mentioned that the airport will issue a request for proposals for engineering firms to serve as the Airport Engineering Consultant once the environmental assessments are underway.
If the grant is approved and funding is secured, construction of the new passenger terminal and walkway can commence promptly, ensuring the project remains on schedule for potential FAA funding opportunities. The airport anticipates that the expanded facilities will be operational by late 2026, positioning IFP as a key player in the region’s transportation network.
The successful expansion of IFP will not only provide greater convenience and connectivity for residents and visitors but also contribute significantly to the local economy by attracting new businesses, increasing tourism, and creating job opportunities.
– Jeremy Webb