Allendale County Airport Handles 200 Monthly Flights, Fuels Local Economy
Allendale County Airport in Fairfax serves roughly 200 flights a month, yields important services such as 24 hours a day fuel and customer amenities, and supports an estimated $1.8 million in annual economic activity. That combination of access and services matters to residents because it sustains local businesses, emergency access, and visitor spending while offering low cost options for based and transient aircraft.
Allendale County Airport at 467 Airport Loop in Fairfax operates as the county hub for general aviation, averaging about 200 flights each month. The facility features a 5,001 foot by 75 foot runway, provides both 100LL and Jet A fuel around the clock, and lists fixed base operator hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. The airport reports 10 T hangars available to rent, no tie down or ramp fees, and customer amenities that include restrooms, snacks, a shower, a sleep room and ground transportation.
Measured activity of roughly 200 monthly flights translates to about 2,400 movements a year, a scale that a 2018 county estimate tied to roughly $1.8 million in annual economic impact. That figure reflects visitor spending, fuel purchases, hangar rentals, and related business activity. For Allendale County the airport therefore acts as a small but steady engine of local commerce and connectivity, linking businesses, visitors and services to the wider region.
Operational details matter for residents and local officials. The presence of Jet A fuel and a 5,001 foot runway expands the range of aircraft that can use the field, and the absence of tie down or ramp fees reduces direct costs for transient pilots and small operators. Ten hangars for rent create a revenue stream and potential for local pilots to base aircraft in the county rather than at neighboring fields.
Policy choices at the county level will shape how much the airport can grow its economic footprint. Maintaining 24 hours a day fuel availability, marketing hangar vacancies, and considering incremental infrastructure investment could increase flight activity and visitor spending. Updating the economic impact assessment from 2018 would give elected officials a current baseline to weigh investments against returns.
For pilots and residents who need information, the fixed base operator can be reached at 803 584 3801. Airport manager Lonnie Browning is available at 803 584 3801 and by email at lbrowning@allendalecounty.gov. Those contacts provide the point of entry for hangar inquiries, fueling questions, and coordination of ground transportation and services.
