Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport

Expanding Texas’ Travel Horizons

 

Surging passenger traffic and strategic infrastructure investments support long-term growth and community impact.

For an airport to be successful, its impact must go beyond the daily hustle and bustle of traveling passengers. To the surrounding communities, it must also be a hub that invites beneficial, impactful economic activity and partnerships to the region.

As hard as it may be to pull off this balancing act, the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport does just that on a scale larger than most.

Leaders at Amarillo International Airport seem to have a knack for anticipating future demand. The airport is always proactively expanding terminals, enhancing runways, and ensuring that all facilities can accommodate increased passenger traffic and larger, more diverse aircraft.

The airport has been cultivating the proper relationships to increase routes and improve its service while partnering with businesses to create commercial opportunities that drive economic impact.

Equally important to leadership has been the development of land around the airport, creating space for hotels, corporate offices, and service industries that cater to travelers.

These partnerships not only generate revenue but also solidify the airport’s role as an economic hub for the region.

On the more foundational level, daily operational efficiency is also an area in which Amarillo International Airport excels. The airport has advanced baggage handling systems, modern security technologies, and seamless check-in processes.

Success for this commercial airport is not just measured in numbers but in the seamless connection it offers the passengers, airlines, and the community it serves.

As its growing infrastructure supports growth, services run efficiently, and partnerships thrive, the airport becomes a thriving gateway—driving both regional development and global connectivity.

 

Passenger Growth and Aviation Trends

Amarillo Airport has seen a significant uptick in passenger traffic, demonstrating its growing importance in the region. In 2023, the airport handled approximately 406,000 enplanements, a notable increase from the 365,000 in 2022.

As the world moves past the pandemic, business travel is anticipated to return strongly, further boosting the airport’s numbers.

The summer months of 2023, in particular, proved to be on par, if not slightly higher, than the previous year’s figures, and while it has not been fully tallied,  2024’s summer performance so far is on pace and well underway.

A fascinating shift is also underway in the types of aircraft visiting Amarillo.

“Overall, we’re seeing a lot more military traffic. We’re seeing bigger jets and getting more traffic here. We also get a lot of helicopters and military fighter jets,” says Director of Aviation Michael W. Conner, C.M.

General aviation activity remains steady, but the presence of larger corporate jets and military aircraft is signaling a shift toward larger and more complex routes and passenger classes.

While smaller planes may not frequent the airport as much, the increased traffic from bigger jets reflects Amarillo’s growing relevance in aviation.

One of the most exciting developments at Amarillo Airport is the introduction of a second fixed-base operator (FBO), Haven Aero. This new addition is a rarity for a smaller airport like Amarillo, which is approaching small hub status.

Alongside Signature, the existing FBO, Haven Aero brings new facilities, including a hangar for maintenance and storage, office space, and a fuel farm. This addition marks a significant milestone for the airport, setting it apart from similar-sized facilities.

What makes this development even more unique is the cooperative agreement between Haven Aero and Signature.

“We were able to get the two FBOs into an operational agreement whereby Haven Aero provides the maintenance for all the aircraft. The airport has a separate contract with Signature, who provides fueling,” Conner explains.

Haven Aero will focus on aircraft maintenance, including services for the airlines, while Signature will continue its fueling operations. The collaboration is a testament to the airport’s focus on partnerships and community-centric growth.

The leadership’s ability to bring these two FBOs together for operational synergies highlights the collaborative spirit that drives Amarillo Airport forward.

Capital Investments Supporting Community and Economic Impact

Amarillo Airport is not just a transportation hub for the Texas Panhandle region; it’s a critical player in the local economy.

“In 2018, Texas did a statewide study of all airports and their economic impacts, and our airport had a $1.2 Billion annual impact,” Conner says, highlighting that its strong economic draw allowed it to endure the COVID-19 Pandemic’s disruption to air service better than other airports.

Today, that figure is likely closer to $1.5 billion, underscoring the airport’s role in driving economic growth in Amarillo.

The airport’s community-focused initiatives are also central to its success. One standout program is “Taking Flight,” a cooperative effort between the airport, community leaders, and local businesses.

This initiative brings airline personnel from corporate offices to meet with community leaders, fostering dialogue on air service needs and exploring new destination opportunities.

The program has been instrumental in maintaining strong relationships with airlines like Southwest and American, ensuring continued service even during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

By engaging airline representatives in local culture—whether through rodeos, downtown events, or visits to popular restaurants—Amarillo Airport has created a unique bond between the airlines and the community.

This relationship-building has been vital in retaining airline service when other regional airports struggle.

 

This has resulted in a very positive outlook for the airport’s future, and to support this anticipated growth, Amarillo Airport is currently undergoing several major infrastructure improvements, both public-facing and operational.

Among the most prominent is the rehabilitation of outdoor parking lots, which have not been touched in over 30 years.

This project, set to begin soon, involves ripping up and repaving the lots to provide a better experience for passengers. Additionally, the entire entrance loop road leading to the terminal will be redone, ensuring smoother access to and from the airport.

While these projects are expected to cause temporary disruptions, the long-term benefits will be well worth it.

Complaints about aging infrastructure will soon be a thing of the past, as the airport invests in creating a modern and welcoming environment for its passengers.

Amarillo airport has also recently completed the installation of a new elevator in its parking garage, addressing long-standing issues and improving accessibility for travelers.

By the end of September, two fully rehabilitated elevators will be operational, further enhancing the passenger experience.

 

Strategic Land Development and Future Plans

Looking ahead, Amarillo Airport has big plans for land development, with 500 acres of contiguous land ready for development on the southeast side of the airport.

“We’ve hired a new Land Development Coordinator who’s working with our local economic development organizations, community leaders, and national companies to develop the land,” Conner explains.

One of the top priorities is attracting an on-airport hotel. While Amarillo has plenty of hotels, none are close to the airport or cater specifically to the business traveler.

This development could meet the needs of early morning flights and business travelers who require convenient access to the airport, further enhancing Amarillo’s appeal.

In addition to commercial developments, the airport is working on smaller but equally important projects, such as upgrading its baggage handling systems.

The current system, installed in 2010, cost $7 million, but updates could see costs rise to as much as $15 million. Ensuring the reliability and longevity of the system is crucial, as it directly impacts the passenger experience.

As Amarillo Airport grows, the need for a highly skilled workforce becomes even more critical to its long-term success. The airport is focused on increasing its technical staff to maintain advanced systems, such as the HVAC system and other control technologies.

The Airport’s master plan will also focus on both the airfield and terminal areas in the future.

While not the most glamorous, essential projects like reconstructing taxiway shoulders and runway improvements are on the agenda to ensure the airport can accommodate its increasing traffic safely.

In the coming years, Amarillo Airport aims to balance infrastructure upgrades, community partnerships, and commercial development, ensuring it remains a vital gateway for the region.

The combination of strategic growth, solid partnerships, and a commitment to serving the community positions this airport as a forward-thinking transportation hub ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport’s growth story is one of adaptability and collaboration.

By addressing both passenger needs and infrastructure requirements, it’s preparing for a future where it plays an even bigger role in connecting the community to the world.

AT A GLANCE

Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport

What: An international airport acting as a key pillar for regional development.

Where: Amarillo, Texas

Website: https://www.fly-ama.com