The airport was built by the United States Navy during World War II to test defogging systems.[6] It operated in support of the Naval Air Station Alameda as the Arcata Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS)[7] and was headquarters for the Eureka section of naval local defense forces for the 12th Naval District.[8][9]
The airport covers 745 acres (301 ha) at an elevation of 222 feet (68 m). It has two asphalt runways: 14/32 is 6,046 by 150 feet (1,843 by 46 m) and 01/19 is 4,501 by 150 feet (1,372 by 46 m).[1]
The airport is under the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission and major changes to the airport such as rezoning or fencing in the airport require its approval.[11]
The approach path for runway 32 passes over Central Avenue. The glare of the strobe lights that direct planes to the runway were a hazard for drivers, especially during rain when the strobes' intensity increased and the road reflected the blinking lights. Baffles were installed on the strobes which block the lights from shining on the road while still guiding aircraft.[12]
Destinations from Arcata–Eureka Airport Red = Year-round destination Green = Seasonal destination Blue = Future destination
Statistics
In the year period ending May 31, 2019, the airport had 42,174 aircraft operations, average 116 per day: 61% military, 25% general aviation, and 14% airline.[14] 24 aircraft at the time were based at the airport: 18 single-engine, 3 multi-engine, and 3 helicopters.[14]
Top destinations
Busiest routes from KACV September 2023 – August 2024[15]
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Annual passenger traffic at ACV airport.
See Wikidata query.
SkyWest Airlines also operated American Eagle service from the airport via a code sharing agreement on behalf of American Airlines with nonstop flights to the American hub in Phoenix (PHX) operated with Canadair CRJ-700 regional jets.[16] The service started June 3, 2021, and ended August 15, 2022.
Daily nonstop service to Denver International Airport (DEN) began on June 7, 2019.
Service has increased significantly since 2015, with five new destinations (LAX, DEN, BUR, PHX, & LAS), and passenger departures have increased 56%.[15]
On May 19, 2021, new nonstop scheduled passenger service to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) operated by Avelo Airlines was initiated with Boeing 737-800 mainline jetliners which are currently the largest aircraft type serving the airport.[17] Avelo added service to Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport in November 2021. The service ended on May 2, 2022, resumed on September 8, 2023, and ended again January 8, 2024.
On November 9, 2021, new nonstop scheduled service to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) operated by Aha! Airlines was initiated with Embrear 145s.[18] Aha! ended service to Reno on March 30, 2022.
Republic Airlines, which was the successor to Hughes Airwest, operated McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30s nonstop to San Francisco with direct, no change of plane DC-9 service to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Memphis and Tampa during the early 1980s.[23][24]
The first jets scheduled to ACV were Pacific Air Lines Boeing 727-100s in 1967; Pacific also served ACV with Fairchild F-27 turboprops.
Ground transportation
The U.S. Route 101 freeway is accessible to the airport via the Arcata Airport exit.
