Air freight part of airport’s master plans

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Adding air freight transportation, leasing land to commercial businesses and lengthening the primary runway were just some 20-year master plan improvements envisioned by Texarkana Regional Airport Board members during their Thursday meeting.

Board members Ray Abernathy and Adger Smith say the airport should expand it services to include air freight transportation — in addition to commercial passenger service in currently provides. Since such a business would require heavier transport aircraft, the airport’s primary 6,600-foot runway would need to be lengthen by at least 500 to 1,000 feet at it south end, where there is a more consistent level, said Airport Director Paul Mehrlich.

This runway lengthening would be considered only after the new passenger terminal is complete and open, Smith said.

Mehrlich told the Board there is opportunity in some of the property the airport owns along both East Ninth Street and Globe Avenue, including property that once was home to the U.S. Air Force’s 703rd Radar Station between 1952 and 1968.

Mehrlich said neglected Quonset huts remain on the site but could be removed in order to clear the land and allow it to become potentially viable to commercial leasers. This would provide the airport more income and eventually become self-sustaining.

Should the Air Force’s old radar dome be of historic value, Mehrlich said any interested historic preservation organizations would be welcomed to consider the property.

He also said that he would like to see the airport participate in community events — to let residents know about the airport’s location and availability.

Mehrlich told the group the groundbreaking for the new passenger terminal is set for April of next year. Once the newly completed terminal is opened — possibly in 2023 — Mehrlich said the old terminal, which dates back to about 1960, could be repurposed.

The airport will add a third commercial flight starting Thanksgiving week — just not on Thanksgiving day. Indeed there will be no commercial flights in or out of Texarkana on the holiday, officials say, because American Airlines, the sole service provider here, needs all its pilots to staff routes its larger airports.

Adding the third flight is a trial run, airport officials say, and may not last. The number of Texarkana flights have been reduced during the pandemic. During the summer, flights had been reduced to one per day.

In other business, the board held a brief executive session to consult with Realtor Richard Reynolds on purchasing land.