Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IATA: IDA, ICAO: KIDA, FAA LID: IDA) is two miles north-northwest of downtown Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States. It is locally known as Fanning Field. It is the second-busiest airport in Idaho after Boise Airport. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a primary commercial service facility. Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 148,584 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2008, 138,957 in 2009 and 144,365 in 2010. In 2024, 610,641 passengers boarded flights at IDA, which was an 11.9% increase from 2023. This was also a 73.2% increase from 2019.
Facilities Idaho Falls Regional Airport covers 866 acres (350 ha) at an elevation of 4,744 feet (1,446 m). It has two asphalt runways: 3/21 is 9,002 by 150 feet (2,744 x 46 m) and 17/35 is 3,964 by 75 feet (1,208 x 23 m). In the year ending December 31, 2016, the airport had 33,152 aircraft operations, average 91 per day: 65% general aviation, 31% air taxi, 3% airline and <1% military. 171 aircraft were then based at this airport: 128 single-engine, 29 multi-engine, 6 jet, 5 helicopter, and 3 glider.
History A historic portion on the east side of the airport was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The listing included two contributing buildings and a contributing structure on 4 acres (1.6 ha): an aircraft hangar, an administrator or caretaker's cabin, and a beacon tower, as well as a surrounding landscaped area. It "represents" the original site of operations for the Idaho Falls Airport. The hangar was still in use in 1996.
Terminal The airport terminal has seen many expansions and a partial re-build throughout the years. The current terminal was built in 1959. The first expansion happening in 1982, which consisted of the old boarding area being torn down and retrofitted with jetways to accommodate smaller commercial aircraft that started coming in the mid-2000s. The previous terminal was designed with jetways for older generation Boeing 737, which stopped arriving in Idaho Falls after Delta Air Lines pulled out of mainline service to the airport in 1998. In 2014, an expansion project was completed that moved TSA screening of baggage out of view of passengers and allowed airlines to again check baggage from ticket counters. In 2019, the airport saw a need for a bigger baggage claim area. The existing carousel was replaced by two new baggage carousels. In addition a new rental car parking lot was constructed. A remodeling project began in 2020 that was to upgrade the amenities at the airport, that consisted of the addition of four new gates, relocated TSA screening and a new check-in area.
Food and beverage service As of December 1, 2018, Tailwind, a new food, beverage and sundries provider was selected through an open RFP initiated earlier that year. The company is assuming operations in limited mode as proposed renovations take place. The airport expressed a desire to have a vendor that would commit to minimum annual revenue (including a percentage of profits that goes to the airport), specific hours of operation based on flight schedules and out-of-pocket renovations to concession areas. From 2001 to 2018, the airport restaurant and lounge operator used her own name, Kathryn's. The lounge was operated by this local owner starting in 1999. The restaurant operated limited hours and served basic American fare for breakfasts and lunches Monday through Saturday. At other times, souvenirs, sundries and basic food were available at Kathryn's Snack Shack pre-security screening. In later years of operation, after an airport renovation, Kathryn's Snack Shack also operated post-security on the second level of the airport with coffee, beverages and basic sundries. The airport has struggled to maintain a viable restaurant operator in the past. One restaurant was known as "Dolores' Place" operated by local restaurant critic Dolores Casella. There were also "Das Kinder Haus" which served German food, and "Runway 21" (1991-1995) which tried to be an upscale steak house and coffee shop. The restaurant has been remodeled once in 1991 and a small fire broke out in 2008 while the restaurant was closed.
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