Clinton National Airport

Clinton National Airport Adams Field
IATA: LIT ICAO: KLIT FAA LID: LIT
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	City of Little Rock
Operator	Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission
Serves	Little Rock
Opened	June 19, 1931;93 years ago (1931-06-19) [1]
Elevation  AMSL	266 ft / 81 m
Coordinates	34°43′48″N92°13′12″W / 34.73000°N 92.22000°W / 34.73000; -92.22000
Website	clintonairport.com
Maps
FAA airport diagram
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 04L/22R 8,273 2,522 Concrete 04R/22L 8,251 2,515 Concrete 18/36 6,224 1,897 Concrete
Helipads
Number Length Surface ft m H1 50 15 Concrete
Statistics (2023)
Total passengers 2,237,309 Aircraft operations (through year ending 2/28/2023) 83,217
Sources: Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport [2] [3]

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport( IATA : LIT, ICAO : KLIT, FAA LID : LIT), also known as Adams Field, is a joint civil-military airport on the east side of Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. ^{[3] [4]} It is operated by the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission. ^[5]

The largest commercial airport in Arkansas, it served more than 2.1 million passengers in the year spanning from March 2009 through to February 2010. ^[6] While Clinton National Airport does not have direct international passenger flights, more than 50 flights arrive or depart at Little Rock each day, with nonstop service to 14 cities. ^[7] The airport is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023, in which it is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility. ^[8]

History

The airport, from an approach road

The airport was originally named Adams Field after Captain George Geyer Adams, 154th Observation Squadron, Arkansas National Guard, who was killed in the line of duty on September 4, 1937. ^[4] He was a strong advocate for the airport, and also a Little Rock city councilor.

American Airlines was the first airline to serve Little Rock when it first landed at Adams Field on June 19, 1931. ^[1]

During World War II the airfield was used by the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force for antisubmarine patrols and training.

In 1972 the airport opened its current 12-gate terminal. ^[4]

In August 2008, the airport approved a plan to renovate the terminal over a 15-year period. This would expand the terminal from 12 to 16 gates. ^[9]

On March 20, 2012, the municipal airport commission voted to rename the airport the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, named after Arkansas native, former Governor and United States President Bill Clinton and his wife, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. ^[10] The name Adams Field will continue to be used when referring to the airport's runways and air traffic, and will be the airport's official designator. In 2017, Republican state Sen. Jason Rapert filed a bill that would have forced the airport to be renamed but relented when he found little support for the measure. ^[11]

In October 2013, Travel + Leisure released a survey of travelers that ranked Clinton National Airport as the worst of the 67 domestic airports considered in the survey. The survey report cited long lines and few food and shopping choices, among other criticisms. ^[12] A survey commissioned by the airport contradicted Travel + Leisure's claim, finding that more than 90% of passengers were satisfied with their experience. ^[13]

In March 2024, the Clinton National Airport's executive director Bryan Malinowski was killed in a shootout with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents attempting to conduct a pre-dawn raid on his home. An affidavit accused him of illegal gun sales. ^{[14] [15]}

Facilities and aircraft

Welcome sign at terminal

Clinton National Airport covers 2,000 acres (809 ha) at an elevation of 266 feet (81 m) above mean sea level. It has three concrete runways: 4L/22R is 8,273 by 150 feet (2,522 x 46 m); 4R/22L is 8,251 by 150 feet (2,515 x 46 m); 18/36 is 6,224 by 150 feet (1,897 x 46 m). It has one concrete helipad 50 by 50 feet (15 x 15 m). ^{[3] [16]}

In the year ending February 28, 2023, the airport had 83,217 aircraft operations, an average of 228 per day: 47% general aviation, 26% scheduled commercial, 16% air taxi, and 10% military. The military operations are mostly C-130 transports from nearby Little Rock Air Force Base practicing touch-and-go landings. At that time, 122 aircraft were based at this airport: 42 single-engine, 22 multi-engine, 54 jet, and 4 helicopter. ^[3]

There are two fixed-base operators (FBOs) on the field: Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation. Central Flying Service, under new ownership, operates on the field offering aircraft maintenance, sales and flight training.

Dassault Aircraft Services (DAS), a subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, operates a large facility at the airport. It is the site of two Falcon aircraft operations: the main Completion Center for all Falcon jets worldwide, and the company-owned Service Center.

Current production model Falcons are manufactured in France, then flown in "green" condition to the Completion Center where optional avionics and custom interiors are installed, and exteriors are painted. Dassault Aircraft Services (DAS) – Little Rock provides inspection, maintenance, modification, completion and repair needs for the Falcon product line.

The Dassault Aircraft Services (DAS) – Little Rock Service Center and Completion Center employs nearly 1,600 people and has a combined occupance of nearly 1,250,000 square feet (116,000 m²), making Little Rock the largest Dassault facility in the world.

Terminal

The single terminal has twelve gates. Six gates are along the length of the terminal (three on either side) and a rotunda at the end has six more.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Airlines	Destinations
Allegiant Air	Orlando/Sanford Seasonal: Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Los Angeles, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
American Airlines	Dallas/Fort Worth Seasonal: Charlotte
American Eagle	Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York–LaGuardia, Washington–National Seasonal: Miami
Delta Air Lines	Atlanta
Delta Connection	New York–LaGuardia
Frontier Airlines	Denver
Southwest Airlines	Dallas–Love, Denver, Las Vegas, St. Louis Seasonal: Houston–Hobby, Phoenix–Sky Harbor
United Express	Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental

Destinations map

Little Rock Dallas–Love Atlanta Houston-Hobby Orlando/Sanford Dallas/Fort Worth Houston–Intercontinental Destin/Fort Walton Beach Las Vegas Charlotte Denver Chicago–O'Hare St. Louis Los Angeles Phoenix–Sky Harbor Miami St. Petersburg/ Clearwater Washington–National New York–LaGuardia class=notpageimage| Destinations from Clinton National Airport Red = Year-round destination Green = Seasonal destination Blue = Future destination

Cargo

Airline	Destinations
UPS Airlines	Dallas/Fort Worth, Louisville, Lubbock, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Ontario, Shreveport

Statistics

Top destinations

Busiest domestic routes from LIT (August 2023 – July 2024) ^[6]

Rank	City	Passengers	Carriers
1	Atlanta, Georgia	249,200	Delta
2	Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas	187,810	American
3	Denver, Colorado	123,400	Frontier, Southwest, United
4	Dallas–Love Field, Texas	109,840	Southwest
5	Charlotte, North Carolina	95,510	American
6	Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois	90,560	American, United
7	Houston–Intercontinental, Texas	81,060	United
8	St. Louis, Missouri	66,520	Southwest
9	Las Vegas, Nevada	38,860	Southwest
10	New York–LaGuardia	32,500	American, Delta

Annual traffic

LIT Airport annual traffic, 2019–present ^[17]

Year	Passengers	% change
2019	2,241,716	—
2020	977,742	056.38%
2021	1,695,061	073.36%
2022	2,021,040	019.23%
2023	2,237,309	010.70%

Airline market share

Largest airlines at LIT(January 2024 – June 2024) ^[18]

Rank	Airline	Passengers	Share
1	American Airlines	374,523	33.54%
2	Southwest Airlines	288,522	25.84%
3	Delta Airlines	248,188	22.23%
4	United Airlines	176,403	15.80%
5	Frontier Airlines	15,197	1.36%
6	Allegiant Airlines	12,520	1.12%
7	Chartered	1,235	0.11%

Ground transportation

Rock Region Metro currently provides transit service to the airport via METRO Connect Microtransit. ^{[19] [20]}

Accidents and incidents

• On January 19, 1990, an Eastman Kodak Grumman Gulfstream II crashed during final approach to Little Rock National Airport; all seven on board were killed. Unfavorable weather conditions and pilot error contributed to the accident. ^[21]
• On June 1, 1999, American Airlines Flight 1420, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 with 145 passengers and crew, attempting to land in a severe thunderstorm, overran the end of runway 4R, crashed through a fence and down a rock embankment into a flood plain; killing 10 passengers and the captain. ^[22]
• On February 22, 2023, a Beechcraft Super King Air took off during gusty winds and heavy rain. Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed near a 3M plant, killing all five on board. The passengers were members of an environmental firm called CTEH en route to investigate an explosion at a metal factory in Bedford, Ohio. ^{[23] [24]}
• On January 21, 2024, a Cirrus SR22 took off from runway 4L and crashed north of the cargo building near Temple Street. The pilot, 62-year-old William Cope, reported a loss of power at take-off and crashed shortly after, at approximately 1:30 PM. He was the only person on board and subsequently died in the crash. ^{[25] [26]}

See also

• List of airports in Arkansas
• Little Rock station

Notes

•  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

References

1. Dougan, Michael B. (2016). "Aviation". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture . Central Arkansas Library System . Retrieved January 1, 2018.
2. "December 2023 Total Enplanements and Deplanements" (PDF). clintonairport.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
3. FAA Airport Form 5010 for LIT PDF . Federal Aviation Administration. effective November 28, 2024.
4. "History". Clinton National Airport. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
5. • "About LIT". Little Rock National Airport. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
   • "LIT – Adams Field". FAA data republished by AirNav. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012.
6. "RITA BTS Transtats – LIT". www.transtats.bts.gov. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
7. "Non-Stop Jet Service". Clinton National Airport. Archived from the original on February 18, 2013.
8. "NPIAS Report 2019-2023 Appendix A" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration . October 3, 2018. p. 17. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
9. "LR airport terminal OK'd for redesign". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette . August 20, 2008. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
10. • "Bulletin: Clinton Airport Dedication". Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
    • "Panel OKs renaming airport after Clintons". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette . March 20, 2012.
11. Brantley, Max (March 17, 2017). "Rapert folds on renaming Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport". Arkansas Times. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
12. • "America's Worst Airports: No. 1 Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Little Rock, AR (LIT)". Travel + Leisure , October 2013.
    • Hibblen, Michael. "Little Rock Airport Ranked Worst In The Nation". UALR Public Radio, October 28, 2013. At the time of the ranking, the airport was undergoing the largest renovation in its history.
13. "Passenger Satisfaction Flying High at Clinton National Airport". KLRT-TV . May 5, 2015. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
14. Limestone, Jonathan (March 22, 2024). "Airport exec dies after shootout with feds at Arkansas home; affidavit alleges illegal gun sales". USA Today. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
15. "Bryan Malinowski, C.M.:Executive Director (2019-2024)". Clinton National Airport. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
16. "LIT airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
17. "LIT Airport Annual Passengers Reports 2019-Present" . Retrieved June 14, 2024.
18. "Passenger Statistics Year-To-Date June 2024" (PDF). Clinton National Airport. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
19. "METRO Connect Zones & Hours". Rock Region METRO. Retrieved February 18, 2024..
20. "System Map" . Retrieved February 18, 2024..
21. Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Gulfstream American G-1159 Gulfstream II N46TE Little Rock National Airport, AR (LIT)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
22. Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) N215AA Little Rock National Airport, AR (LIT)". aviation-safety.net.
23. Digital, THV11 (February 22, 2023). "Five people dead after plane crash near Little Rock 3M plant". thv11.com. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
24. Accident descriptionfor N55PC at the Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved on February 24, 2023.
25. "One person dead after plane crashes at Little Rock airport, LRFD confirms". thv11.com. January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
26. "FAA Accident and Incident Notice". Federal Aviation Administration. January 22, 2024.

External links

Government

• Official website

General information

• Aerial image as of March 2001 ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]} from USGS The National Map
• Airfield photos from U.S. Civil Air Patrol at the Wayback Machine (archived September 23, 2006)
• FAA Airport Diagram  (PDF), effective November 28, 2024
• FAA Terminal Procedures for LIT , effective November 28, 2024
• Resources for this airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KLIT
  • ASN accident history for LIT
  • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
  • NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KLIT
  • FAA current LIT delay information