Prescott Regional Airport named Arizona’s airport of the year by ADOT

Oct 27, 2020, 1:00 PM

(Prescott Airport Photo)

PHOENIX — Prescott’s Ernest A. Love Field was named the state’s airport of the year by the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group last week.

The airport previously won the same award in 2014, meeting criteria that included airport advocacy and outreach, as well as implementing new programs and committing to advancing aviation, according to a city of Prescott press release.

Ernest A. Love Field also won the FAA Western Pacific region’s outstanding airport award and the International Council of Air Shows’ award for best civilian airshow in 2019, while Airport Director Dr. Robin Sobotta won the Arizona Airports Association’s award for airport executive of the year, according to the release.

The airport was recognized by ADOT’s Aeronautics Group for its political advocacy that resulted in an extra $10 million in Arizona airport development funding. The airport also was commended for generating $160.3 million in economic impact, in addition to being the fastest-growing commercial airport in the state in 2019, with a 174% increase in passenger counts, according to the release.

The airport received the award at the annual Walter Burg Arizona Airport’s Association fall conference on Oct. 22.

Prescott was chosen from a field of 83 airports, including 11 privately owned airfields and 14 Native America owned airports, according to ADOT’s website.

Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli expressed pride in the airport staff’s ability to earn the statewide group’s award.

“It is truly an honor for the city to receive this recognition from ADOT-Aeronautics for the hard work and accomplishments our team at PRC has accomplished the past year,” Mengarelli said in the press release.

Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport was named the 2019 Arizona airport of the year.

Prescott will receive commemorative items from ADOT, including a plaque, a wall sign and a large roadway sign that will be placed at the airport’s new entrance road.

Ernest A. Love Field has service to Denver and Los Angeles international airports and broke ground on a new 18,000 square-foot passenger terminal in January, according to the release.

The ADOT Aeronautics Group Arizona airport of the year award has been given out every year since 1999.

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