Rural America’s success depends on connectivity, economic opportunity, and access to essential services. General aviation airports serve as a cornerstone of this infrastructure, providing businesses, industries, and communities with the means to remain competitive in an interconnected world.
General aviation airports help local companies move goods and personnel, enabling them to compete nationally and internationally. In industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and energy, these airports facilitate logistics, shorten supply chains, help transport key personnel when time is of the essence, and allow rural enterprises to expand their reach. Many companies consider airport access when deciding where to invest.
Case studies highlight the economic potential of these airports. Mason City Municipal Airport has demonstrated how community engagement and investment can transform a regional airport into a hub for business and tourism.
These airports are indispensable in healthcare and emergency response. Rural hospitals and emergency medical services rely on air ambulances to transport patients in critical condition to specialized medical centers. But rural hospital closures have become a significant concern in the United States. As these rural hospitals close, air services become even more essential. Organizations like Angel Flight America and its regional affiliates provide, at no cost, critical non-emergency transportation to patients in remote areas receiving specialized care that can require frequent visits to university hospitals or research institutions in large cities.
General aviation also plays a crucial role in disaster relief, organ and blood transport, firefighting, and law enforcement operations. Aircraft were critical in fighting wildfires in California, and nearby small airports made a significant difference in the frequency of water or fire retardant drops. After Hurricane Helene general aviation and community airports were essential to evacuating people and delivering emergency supplies.
But small airports face challenges. Efforts to privatize air traffic control (ATC) could shift resources toward major commercial hubs at the expense of smaller airports.
About 70% of airline traffic goes through the 31 largest airports, out of about 5,000 public use airports across the country. For the airlines, hub-to-hub routes are the most profitable, and it makes sense that they would maximize these. But privatizing ATC would give airlines control beyond just their own routing decisions, allowing them to reshape the infrastructure of the aviation system to suit their interests.
Supporting general aviation airports is not just about keeping small towns connected—it is about ensuring that rural America has the tools to thrive. These facilities strengthen local economies, expand job opportunities, and safeguard public safety. Our aviation system needs the continued oversight of our elected officials to ensure it serves all Americans in every region.
Niel Ritchie is a community outreach and development consultant, and the past president of the League of Rural Voters.
https://www.thegazette.com/guest-columnists/airports-in-rural-america-are-valuable