Airport of the Year

Show Low Regional Airport honored as 2024 Airport of the Year

Show Low Regional Airport honored as 2024 Airport of the Year

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Show Low Regional Airport honored as 2024 Airport of the Year

Show Low Regional Airport honored as 2024 Airport of the Year

May 16, 2024

ADOT award cites planning for new runway, facility updates

PHOENIX – Planning for a new runway and making facility updates helped make Show Low Regional Airport the state’s Airport of the Year for 2024.

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Group cited the northeastern Arizona airport’s work on a Focused Planning Study, scheduled for completion this year, to evaluate the viability of a new runway to better align with prevailing winds. This will serve as a road map for an Environmental Assessment that will follow. 

In addition, the airport upgraded to LED lighting on its primary runway, replaced directional runway signage, acquired a striping machine to maintain airport markings, began using a new software to better track operational data, and is engaged in designing projects to build 10 additional aircraft hangars and add two large helicopter pads that will enhance regional firefighting capabilities. 

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group also cited the airport’s community engagement, which includes Airport Manager Jacob Allen serving as Executive Director of the Arizona Airports Association and airport staff inviting several schools to have field trips to the airport. The airport supports the Experimental Aircraft Association White Mountain Chapter 586, which has multiple monthly events to stimulate interest in aviation, including Young Eagles flights for ages 8-17.

This is the second time Show Low Regional Airport has been named the state’s Airport of the Year. The first was in 2007. It is one of 67 airports across Arizona that are publicly owned and publicly operated. ADOT’s Aeronautics Group works to disperse grant funding to eligible capital improvement projects at state airports.

A list of previous airports of the year is available here.

Colorado City's airport honored as 2023 Airport of the Year

Colorado City's airport honored as 2023 Airport of the Year

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Colorado City's airport honored as 2023 Airport of the Year

Colorado City's airport honored as 2023 Airport of the Year

September 22, 2023

ADOT award acknowledges community engagement, facility upgrades

PHOENIX – Community engagement and facility upgrades helped make Colorado City Municipal Airport the state’s Airport of the Year for 2023. The airport is owned and operated by the Town of Colorado City. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Group cited the northern Arizona airport’s community outreach, including an expanded Fly-in and Airshow attended by 1,400 people, Facebook and Instagram promotion of events, a new logo submitted by a member of the public and school tours attended by more than 300 area students. 

In addition, the airport spruced up its grounds, added environmentally friendly landscaping around the terminal, installed new perimeter fencing, developed plans for 13 new hangars and upgraded vending machines in its terminal to accept credit cards and Apple Pay. Many of the airport’s upgrades were volunteer efforts. 

This is the second time Colorado City Municipal Airport has been named the state’s Airport of the Year. The first was in 1992. It is one of 67 airports across Arizona that are publicly owned and publicly operated.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group works to disperse grant funding to eligible capital improvement projects at state airports.

Cottonwood Airport is Arizona's Airport of the Year for 2022

Cottonwood Airport is Arizona's Airport of the Year for 2022

Cottonwood Airport is Arizona's Airport of the Year for 2022

Cottonwood Airport is Arizona's Airport of the Year for 2022

By Julian Lopez / ADOT Communications
January 3, 2023
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Did you hear the news? ADOT has named the Cottonwood Municipal Airport as the 2022 Arizona Airport of the Year!ADOT's Matthew Munden on left and Cottonwood Airport's Jeffrey Tripp on right

Cottonwood achieved several accomplishments but none surpassed their noise abatement program, according to Airport Manager Jeffrey Tripp.

The noise action program reduced noise complaints from the public and increased public support for the airport. Airport staff developed and implemented a noise abatement program to include:

  • Updating and modifying the airport’s request noise abatement practices.
  • Creating a FAQ section for the noise abatement webpage.
  • Developing a monthly Airport Operations Noise Abatement report for the Airport commission, City Manager, City Council, and the public.

Matthew Munden, ADOT’s Aeronautics Group Manager, said Cottonwood Airport’s community outreach, implementation of action items from its 2018 noise action plan and support for a local youth program helped the airport stand out.

The Young Eagles youth program helps youth and their parents become more aware of the airport and its value to the community, according to Munden.

At the airport, the agency worked with the City of Cottonwood Public Works Department to complete crack sealing of the runway and ramp, along with other projects.

The award recognizes an airport for its dedication to community collaboration, reputable management, and providing a safe and secure aviation facility. This is the first time the Cottonwood Airport has won the Arizona Airport of the Year award.

In 1974, the Aeronautics Department and Arizona Highway Department merged, creating the Arizona Department of Transportation. Since then, ADOT’s role in aeronautics and aviation has changed. Today, the Aeronautics Group is dedicated to dispersing grant funding to eligible capital improvement projects at qualifying airports.

Cottonwood Airport is one of 67 airports that are publicly-owned and publicly-operated in Arizona and provides emergency medical and fire response from the state.

The three most recent Arizona Airport of the Year recipients are: Yuma International Airport (2021), Prescott Regional Airport (2020), and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (2019).

Yuma International Airport is a triple winner

Yuma International Airport is a triple winner

Yuma International Airport is a triple winner

Yuma International Airport is a triple winner

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications
May 25, 2021

Winning is one thing, but winning three times? That's quite the honor! 

That's what happened recently when the Yuma International Airport was named the 2021 Arizona Airport of the Year. 

ADOT's Aeronautics Group had previously bestowed the same honor to the Yuma Airport in 2015 and 1998. In the photo to the right, Yuma Airport Director Gladys Brown is pictured with this year's sign.  

"Every spring we award an Arizona Airport of the Year," said Matthew Munden, State Airport Engineer ADOT-Aeronautics. "Some have won it twice, but only a few have won it three times each." 

There are 67 Arizona airports eligible to apply for the title.

The Yuma airport earned high marks for activities in the community, classroom, military, fundraising, and education, to name a few, and has a rich list of accomplishments, including aviation advocacy, economic development and airport maintenance activities, according to their application.

"They really knocked it out of the park with their application," Munden said. "They provide community outreach, collaboration, effective management and have an exceptionally secure, safe facility." 

As you can see in the photo, Gladys Brown, Yuma airport director, is thrilled with the honor. 

According to the airport's website, aviation enthusiasts have enjoyed flying in Yuma since Robert Fowler first landed there in 1911: 

In 1925, the Yuma Chamber of Commerce helped secure land for an airport in Yuma and in 1928 President Calvin Coolidge signed the Yuma Aviation Bill and Fly Field was born.

The Chamber's aviation committee started lining up transcontinental and international air races where aviation greats such as Amelia Earhart competed. In 1939, the Yuma County Board of Supervisors recommended Fly Field as a base for the Army Air Corps, which began Yuma's rich history in Military Aviation. In 1949, local pilots Bob Woodhouse and Woody Jongeward flew 1,124 hours of continuous flight known as the "Endurance Flight" in an effort to encourage the military to have a permanent presence in Yuma. Their mission was a success!

The three most recent Arizona Airport of the Year recipients are: 2020, Prescott Regional Airport; 2019, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport; and 2018, Falcon Field Airport. 

Prescott Regional Airport is ADOT’s 2020 Airport of the Year

Prescott Regional Airport is ADOT’s 2020 Airport of the Year

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Prescott Regional Airport is ADOT’s 2020 Airport of the Year

Prescott Regional Airport is ADOT’s 2020 Airport of the Year

November 16, 2020

PHOENIX – Economic impact and advocacy for airport funding are among the reasons Prescott Regional Airport’s Ernest A. Love Field is the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Airport of the Year for 2020.

The airport has won the title before in 2014.

Don Kriz, ADOT Aeronautics Group manager, said Prescott Regional Airport’s accomplishments included securing an extra $10 million in development funding and completing an economic impact study showing the airport’s generation of $160.3 million in economic impact. Prescott Regional Airport also achieved the status of fastest growing commercial service airport in Arizona last year with an increase in passenger enplanements of 174 percent.

“The staff at Prescott Regional Airport has done outstanding work to improve their airport and contribute to the aviation community in Arizona,” said Kriz.

The airport’s other highlights include conducting an innovative on-site Federal Aviation Administration Annual Live Burn training activity and receiving federal and state support for construction of a new $15 million passenger terminal.

“It is truly an honor for the city to receive this recognition from ADOT Aeronautics for the hard work and accomplishments our team at Prescott Regional Airport has accomplished the past year,” said city of Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group, part of the agency’s Multimodal Planning Division, decides winners based on accomplishments in aviation advocacy and community relations, airport management, special events and recognition, as well as innovative activities and programs.

The Aeronautics Group works with dozens of airports across Arizona to administer federal and state grants through its Airport Development Program.

Airports bring in approximately $38.5 billion per year to Arizona’s economy, according to state research.

For more information about airports, ADOT’s Aeronautics Group and the Airport Development Program, please visit azdot.gov/Airports.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is ADOT’s 2019 Airport of the Year

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is ADOT’s 2019 Airport of the Year

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Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is ADOT’s 2019 Airport of the Year

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is ADOT’s 2019 Airport of the Year

June 27, 2019

PHOENIX – Community outreach and growth are among the reasons Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Airport of the Year for 2019.

The airport has won the title twice before, and its last win, in 2012, underscores how rapidly it has grown. It was the nation’s 65th-busiest at the time; it’s now 32nd, with 288,000 takeoffs and departures a year.

Don Kriz, ADOT Aeronautics Group manager, said Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport’s accomplishments for its latest award include hosting a presidential visit, demonstrating outstanding community outreach and being active in local chambers of commerce. The airport also obtained a perfect certification and operations inspection from the Federal Aviation Administration.

"This airport has done an amazing job in support of their community and advancing aviation in the state of Arizona," Kriz said.

The airport’s other highlights include starting programs for airport volunteers and aviation careers education.

“This prestigious award is a testament to the high-quality and dedicated employees that have helped create a major economic engine for the state of Arizona,” said Apache Junction Mayor Jeff Serdy, chairman of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group, part of the agency’s Multimodal Planning Division, decides winners based on accomplishments in aviation advocacy and community relations, airport management, special events and recognition, as well as innovative activities and programs.

The Aeronautics Group works with dozens of airports across Arizona to administer federal and state grants through its Airport Development Program.

Airports bring in approximately $38.5 billion per year to Arizona’s economy, according to state research.

For more information about airports, ADOT’s Aeronautics Group and the Airport Development Program, please visit azdot.gov/Airports.

From airplane graveyard to ADOT's Airport of the Year

From airplane graveyard to ADOT's Airport of the Year

From airplane graveyard to ADOT's Airport of the Year

From airplane graveyard to ADOT's Airport of the Year

May 24, 2016

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Pinal Airpark was once known as an airport graveyard that stored old jets, along with conducting military training and government operations. Today, the Marana airport has been resurrected thanks to a new lease and grant funding. Because of its progress, ADOT recently honored Pinal Airpark as 2016 Airport of the Year.

The airport has overcome many challenges. It’s working to become more accessible to public aviation and become compliant with FAA requirements. Improvements include runway rehabilitation and adopting a master plan. A $2.4 million investment in pavement upgrades was funded by Pinal County and the State Aviation Fund.

The Airport of the Year award recognizes Pinal Airpark for dramatically improving its runway and taxiway pavement. The pavement's poor condition had affected the airport’s eligibility for federal and state grant funds for capital improvements. Better pavement also means a safer environment for planes to take off and land.

Pinal Airpark

Pinal Airpark Director Jim Petty said, “All the elements needed for this effort fell into place after many years of not being able to address and cure the issues. It took county leadership, new ownership of the tenant company that held the lease, many hours of negotiation, and the guidance of the FAA and ADOT Aeronautics.”

Because of an exclusive lease, the airpark was known to be unwelcoming to general aviators. Now, pilots as well as tourists are encouraged to visit.

Petty wants everyone to appreciate Pinal Airpark’s history. It was once a training ground for pilots in World War II and the Korean conflict. Old planes are still retired to the airpark, and it’s still home to a commercial aircraft storage facility that provides maintenance and repair.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group within the Multimodal Planning Division accepts applications and nominations for the Airport of the Year. The Aeronautics Group looks at accomplishments in community relations, management, maintenance, programs and innovation.

Pinal Airpark near Marana named 2016 Airport of the Year

Pinal Airpark near Marana named 2016 Airport of the Year

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Pinal Airpark near Marana named 2016 Airport of the Year

Pinal Airpark near Marana named 2016 Airport of the Year

May 6, 2016

PHOENIX ‒ For many years, Pinal Airpark was an isolated facility in the middle of the desert between Phoenix and Tucson best known for the many mothballed jetliners stored there.

It served as a base for large aircraft overhauls. No public flights took place, and no one was allowed in under a long-standing lease with one tenant.

Today, efforts to revitalize the Marana facility are paying off. A new lease, grant funding and collaboration among several agencies have provided Pinal Airpark with the opportunity to reinvent itself. Significant work has been accomplished to improve the facility, including runway rehabilitation and adopting a master plan, all with the goal of becoming more accessible for public use. 

For these efforts, the Arizona Department of Transportation has named Pinal Airpark the 2016 Airport of the Year.

The award, presented to the airport’s director and staff at the Arizona Airports Association spring conference this week in Flagstaff, recognizes Pinal Airpark’s work to overcome challenges that include not meeting assurances required to receive Federal Aviation Administration grants because it leased an entire public airport to one tenant.

“Pinal Airpark was closed off from the public for many years, if not decades, due to an exclusive lease that put it in noncompliance with the FAA,” said Michael Klein, ADOT Aeronautics Group manager. “The county’s recent efforts to bring the airpark into compliance with FAA assurance requirements show a remarkable commitment on their part.” 

The Airport of the Year award also recognizes Pinal Airpark dramatically improving its runway and taxiway pavement from a poor condition that affected the airport’s eligibility for federal and state grant funds for capital improvements.

Over the past several years, Pinal County made the commitment to turn the airport around. In turn, ADOT’s Aeronautics Group made the commitment to support that effort.  

“It gave us a lot of life,” Pinal Airpark Director Jim Petty said. “All the elements needed for this effort fell into place after many years of not being able to address and cure the issues. It took county leadership, new ownership of the tenant company that held the lease, many hours of negotiation and the guidance of the FAA and ADOT Aeronautics.”

The airpark received approximately $2 million from ADOT Aeronautics through the State Aviation Fund and about $400,000 from Pinal County for runway rehabilitation and major pavement upgrades. Those improvements dramatically increased its pavement condition score, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rating system used by ADOT Aeronautics. The score is crucial to increasing air traffic and public use of the airport.

The airport is now in the process of re-establishing its eligibility for FAA funds, after receiving none for decades.

As general aviation increases at the once desolate airpark, it still holds on to some of its past. It continues to be a commercial aircraft storage facility that provides maintenance and repair, while drawing in tourists as a boneyard for planes laid to rest, their parts repurposed.   

“One of the things I want to do is preserve as much of the airport’s past as possible,” Petty said. “I want people to learn about and appreciate this airport’s glory years, as a place where pilots were trained for World War II and the Korean conflict.”

The 83 facilities identified in ADOT’s system of airports vary in size and serve different functions. The total economic impact of this system is about $58 billion annually, according to ADOT research. ADOT works with 65 of the 83 airports throughout the federal and state grant process as part of its Airport Development Program.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group within the Multimodal Planning Division accepts applications and nominations for the Airport of the Year. The Aeronautics Group looks at accomplishments in community relations, management, maintenance, programs and innovation.

For more information about ADOT’s Aeronautics Group and Airport Development Program, visit ADOT's website.

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

May 12, 2015

The Yuma International Airport is the 2015 Airport of the Year.

Did you hear the news? ADOT has named the Yuma International Airport as the 2015 Airport of the Year!

The award was presented to the airport director and staff at the Arizona Airports Association annual conference earlier this month in Lake Havasu City.

Long established with a history of serving both civilians and military personnel, the Yuma International Airport staff prides itself on stellar customer service and programs to improve airport operations within the Yuma community. In winning this award, the airport is being recognized for its outstanding service and accomplishments over the past year.

Managed by the Yuma County Airport Authority, the Yuma International Airport is also home to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. As a facility that serves both passengers and military servicemen and women, the airport has been recognized for the many programs and services it offers, in addition to its daily operations. These programs include welcome home celebrations for troops, airport tours for students of all ages, outreach to encourage careers in the aviation industry and the establishment of a military comfort center within the airport terminal.

More about the airport’s major successes and accomplishments from the past year can be found in this news release.

Aeronautics and airport development at ADOT

Many might not realize it, but ADOT plays an important role in aeronautics and the development of airports across the state. While there are 114 airports across Arizona, 83 airports—including 11 privately owned airfields and 14 Native American owned airports—are identified in ADOT’s system of airports.

These 83 airports vary in size and serve different functions in meeting Arizona’s aviation and economic needs. Arizona’s total economic impact from this system of airports is $58 billion annually, according to ADOT research. ADOT works with 65 of the 83 airports throughout the federal and state grant process as part of the Airport Development Program.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group within the Multimodal Planning Division accepts applications and nominations for the Airport of the Year. The Aeronautics Group looks at accomplishments in the areas of community relations, airport management, airport maintenance activities, and innovative activities and programs implemented at airports.

Visit our website for more details on ADOT’s Aeronautics Group and Airport Development Program.

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

Yuma International Airport named 2015 Airport of the Year

May 6, 2015

PHOENIX — Long established with a history of serving both civilians and military personnel, the Yuma International Airport staff prides itself on stellar customer service and programs to improve airport operations within the Yuma community. In winning this award, the airport is being recognized for its outstanding service and accomplishments over the past year.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has named the Yuma International Airport as the 2015 Airport of the Year. The award was presented to the airport director and staff at the Arizona Airports Association annual conference this week in Lake Havasu City.

“The Yuma County Airport Authority Board of Directors truly feels this award represents the hardworking and dedicated airport team who do their best every day to make our airport one of the best around,” said Board President Ron Rice. “The airport staff has developed programs to enhance and help our customers, tenants, military partners and general aviation. It is wonderful for the airport to get recognized by ADOT as the Airport of the Year, and we are proud of our entire team here at Yuma International Airport.”

The Yuma County Airport Authority manages the Yuma International Airport. The airport is also home to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. As a facility that serves both passengers and military servicemen and women, the airport has been recognized for the many programs and services it offers, in addition to its daily operations. These programs include welcome home celebrations for troops, airport tours for students of all ages, outreach to encourage careers in the aviation industry, and the establishment of a military comfort center within the airport terminal. 

“This moment is something our airport staff has worked for every day to earn,” said Airport Director Gladys Wiggins. “I was asked what makes us so special. My answer is: We are special because we care, we listen, and we think of solutions that benefit our flying community. We have a great airport because of our dedicated team and the support we receive from our community. On behalf of the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Colonel Martinez, and myself, we are honored to be recognized as ADOT’s 2015 Airport of the Year. It confirms our efforts toward strengthening relationships with our aviation partners, investment in outreach programs, providing care and comfort to our troops, and an ever-increasing emphasis on customer service and safety.”

Some of the airport’s major successes and accomplishments over the past year include:

  • Defense Contractor Complex: The Yuma County Airport Authority created the Defense Contractor Complex and constructed hangar facilities in an effort to support aviation training and testing within the Yuma region. The Airport Authority provides facilities and support services to major companies within the aviation industry, such as Boeing, L-3, Beechcraft, Honda Jet, NASA, Gulfstream, Pratt & Whitney, and various military units.
  • Terminal apron rehabilitation: The Airport Authority received a grant from ADOT for the rehabilitation of the airport’s terminal apron. The project was awarded to local engineers and contractors and was completed in four months.
  • Defense Contractor Complex apron construction: The Airport Authority received a grant from ADOT and the Federal Aviation Administration for the construction of the Defense Contractor Complex Apron 2, which is a large concrete apron located in the southwest corner of the airfield. The project was awarded to local engineers and contractors and was completed in 10 months.
  • Rolle Field master plan: Through a grant from ADOT, the Airport Authority continues its work to facilitate a new master plan for Rolle Field, with the goal to provide a safer and more pleasant environment for the future of aviation in Yuma County.
  • 2014 Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Air Show: The Airport Authority is one of the largest sponsors of the air show and provides booths for organizations to promote their programs throughout Yuma County.
  • NASA and the Orion Launch Watch Site: NASA is one of the airport’s tenants and conducts parachute testing for the Orion Space Program at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground. The airport was named as an official launch watch site due to the work conducted on the program in Yuma.

ADOT presented airport staff with a plaque at the awards ceremony in Lake Havasu City. A sign will be erected near the airport announcing Yuma International Airport as the 2015 Airport of the Year.

While there are 114 airports across Arizona, 83 airports — including 11 privately owned airfields and 14 Native American-owned airports — are identified in ADOT’s system of airports. These 83 airports vary in size and serve different functions in meeting Arizona’s aviation and economic needs. Arizona’s total economic impact from this system of airports is $58 billion annually, according to ADOT research. ADOT works with 65 of the 83 airports throughout the federal and state grant process as part of the Airport Development Program.

ADOT’s Aeronautics Group within the Multimodal Planning Division accepts applications and nominations for the Airport of the Year. The Aeronautics Group looks at accomplishments in the areas of community relations, airport management, airport maintenance activities, and innovative activities and programs implemented at airports. For more information about ADOT’s Aeronautics Group and Airport Development Program, visit azdot.gov/planning/airportdevelopment