Nebraska Aeronautics Commission names Hastings Municipal Airport as Airport of the Year

HASTINGS, Neb. (Press Release) - The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission honored the Hastings Municipal Airport on Thursday as Airport of the Year.

Representatives of the Hastings aviation community accepted the award during the Nebraska Aviation Symposium at the Crown Plaza Conference Center in Kearney. The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission is a division of the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The Airport of the Year designation is open to all airports in the state, regardless of size.

“I know a lot of people have noticed the changes and growth of our airport as well as the increased activity,” Airport Manager Matthew Kuhr said. “I think this award validates that the efforts of the city, city staff and the airport community are being recognized on a larger scale.”

Kuhr was joined at the Nebraska Aviation Symposium by Airport Advisory Board members Jason Haase, Phil Beda, Aaron Schardt and Brent Hoops, as well as Airport Facilities Technician Jim Howsden; and Flight Instructors Dan Spellman and Glen Bredthauer.

On behalf of the Airport, the representatives received signs for the airport, a certificate and a poster to display.

The Hastings Municipal Airport is home to the Nebraska Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association, which hosts a hamburger feed during the last Saturday each month from March to October.

Hastings Municipal Airport sees several medical aircraft each week that help bring in doctors or supplies to Mary Lanning Healthcare, as well as the medical evacuation of people who need care.

The military uses the Hastings Municipal Airport for training and fuel.

Recent accomplishments for Hastings Municipal Airport include an influx of prospective pilots earning licenses and bringing in the mechanic company J&S Aviation, which offers a full avionics shop servicing dash and navigation systems.

Becoming the home of the Antique Aircraft Association and having an active Fixed Base Operator, Hastings Air LLC, has also increased the profile of Hastings Municipal Airport.

“We serve the community in so many ways,” Kuhr said. “We want our airport to be something the city and community can be proud of.”

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