While the region may have a history deeply rooted in racing, slow and steady wins the race at this dynamic regional aviation gem, as it diligently takes all the right steps to keep pace. Firmly focused on its aviation traffic, Dodge City Regional Airport is perfectly positioned for the year ahead. For Airport Manager Eliel Marin, the key to keeping the airport on the right aviation path is simple.“ We take pride in making sure safety is a top priority and that the airport is in top shape. My family uses the airport, and I feel blessed to serve the community.” With all airport priorities stemming from this vision, it is not hard to see that 2026 and beyond will continue to witness growth and bear witness to the objectives in its airport layout plan taking shape. AN AIRPORT THAT PROVIDES ALL THE PIECES Serving a region that is home to several large food processing manufacturers, including Hilmar Cheese, and a thriving industrial area, also drives the objectives of the airport. Corporate travel is commonplace in and out of the airport, as is passenger travel. On the commercial side, although in previous years the airport hosted several airlines, including Boutique Air, PenAir, and Great Lakes Airlines, the commercial end of its operations is now centered around its partnership with United, operating regularly scheduled SkyWest flights in and out of the airport. “We do serve general aviation, but also have a commercial service with United. It is actually SkyWest operated, and we have two flights a day. One at 11 and one at 7 p.m. every day, except Tuesdays and Saturdays, where we only have the one scheduled flight,” Marin explains. Marin details that despite shifting gears in the commercial service that operates out of the airport, by operating under the Essential Airline Services (EAS), which is a federally funded operation, the commercial side remains viable for what is a smaller regional airport. Describing the capacity of the airport, Marin points out that “We have two runways that include runway 14/32, which is 6,899 feet long, and we have our runway 02/20, which is close to 5,000 feet long.” It is runway 02/20 that is currently taking up space in Dodge City Regional Airport’s list of priorities. “Right now, our runway 02/20 is under construction. This is our crosswind runway,” he notes. 85 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 13, ISSUE 02 DODGE CITY REGIONAL AIRPORT
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