Big Idea
- The selection of the Prescott Regional Airport was based on several criteria
- The Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) also received several awards in 2019
- The last time the PRC received this award was in 2014
- A new 18,000 square foot passenger terminal is currently in construction and is scheduled to open in spring, 2021
The Prescott Regional Airport has once again been recognized for its excellence.
PRESCOTT, AZ (October 26, 2020) – Prescott Regional Airport – Ernest A. Love Field (PRC) has been named Arizona’s 2020 Airport of the Year by the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group. ADOT-Aeronautics Group Director Don Kriz made the announcement on Thursday, October 22nd at the Arizona Airports Association’s 2020 Walter Burg Arizona Airport’s Association Fall Conference. More than 130 representatives attended the virtual conference including airport officials, Federal and State regulatory officials, legislators and consulting firms.
Prescott Regional Airport’s selection was based on several criteria including: 1) aviation advocacy, special events, and community outreach, 2) new processes/programs implemented, 3) commitment to the advancement of aviation, and 4) CY 2019 awards and acknowledgements. Last year, PRC-related awards included:
- 2019 Outstanding Airport Award – FAA Western Pacific Region
- 2019 International Council of Air Shows – Best Civilian Airshow
- 2019 Airport Executive of the Year – Airport Director Dr. Robin Sobotta
In his remarks during the award presentation, ADOT-Aeronautics Group Director Don Kriz highlighted the airport’s multiple achievements in the past year, which included: seeking political advocacy for additional State funding support for Arizona airports which secured an extra $10M in AZ Airport development funding; completing an economic impact study showing PRC’s generation of $160.3M in economic impact, conducting an innovative on-site ARFF Annual Live Burn training activity; receiving Federal and State support for construction of a new $15M passenger terminal; and achieving the status of fastest growing commercial service airport (2019) in Arizona with an increase in passenger enplanements of 174%.
FAA Phoenix Airport District Office Manager, Mike Williams, further echoed ADOT’s sentiments saying, “PRC is a well-deserved recipient of the award.”
In a later session on legislative advocacy, State Rep Noel Campbell expressed his admiration for Prescott’s approach to gaining lawmaker and regulatory agency support for the Airport’s future development. In his comments he said that Prescott “did everything right!”
Sobotta also credited the FAA and ADOT for helping Prescott secure financial support for Federal and State grants, along with the City of Prescott Mayor and City Council for their unwavering support.
“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,” said Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli.
The City will receive several commemorative items, courtesy of ADOT, as a result of this award, including a plaque, a wall sign and a large roadway sign which will be placed at the entrance to the new terminal roadway system.
This is the second time in the past decade that PRC has been the recipient of the ADOT-Aeronautic Arizona Airport of the Year, the last occurring in 2014. Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport was named the 2019 Arizona Airport of the Year.
In January 2020, PRC broke ground on a new 18,000 square foot passenger terminal and is currently scheduled to be open in late March 2021. PRC has daily, double hub service to Denver, Los Angeles and beyond.
