Prescott Regional Airport Named 2019 Outstanding Airport
FAA Praises Growth, Safety Enhancements and Community Engagement
From right to left: City Manager Michael Lamar, Mayor Greg Mengarelli, Mayor Pro Tem Billie Orr, Airport Director, Dr. Robin Sobotta
Prescott Regional Airport – Ernest A. Love Field, was named 2019 Outstanding Airport by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Western Pacific Region.
According to the FAA, “This award is granted in recognition of the exemplary work done by the City in proactively completing a Prescott Regional Airport – Ernest A. Love Field master plan with significant involvement from the community, focus on enhancing safety of the Airport, and accommodating continued growth in commercial passenger service. The City’s creativity, engagement, and passion for their community and Airport speaks volumes about the nature and values of the City organization and staff.”
Airport Director, Dr. Robin Sobotta said that this award represents a City-wide effort. “This reflects on City leadership, including staff and elected officials,” she said. “Also, I want to thank our commercial air carrier United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines, as well as our airport staff.”
Dr. Sobotta went on to say, “We remain appreciative of the tremendous support that the City has received from the FAA Phoenix Airport District Office and the FAA Western Pacific Region leadership and staff. Continued strengthening of our interagency partnerships — at the Federal, State, and regional levels — will be critical to our future growth and success, as we elevate to Primary Commercial Service Airport status this year.”
Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli agreed with Dr. Sobotta’s remarks. “The City has an amazing team, who has accomplished so much in such a short time,” “We are proud of our airport staff, and all City support personnel who have helped get us to this point.”
In other news, the City of Prescott will receive $1 Million in State transportation funding, plus a grant award of $807,000 (95% of design costs) for the “Taxiway Charlie” Relocation, and other projects related to the new terminal and airport expansion.
Additionally, the Airport recently reported hitting a new record high in passenger enplanements (boardings) in the month of May with 2,598 passengers boarding flights out of Prescott. Previously, December 2018 held the record with 2,574 passengers. Planes have been averaging 80+ percent filled, putting Prescott Regional Airport on track for 25,000 enplanements in 2019. Design of the new passenger terminal is scheduled for a fall groundbreaking.