Arkansas serves over 2.6 million passengers annually through 8 commercial airports, led by Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) and Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), offering nonstop flights to 40+ destinations nationwide.
Arkansas is served by two major airports offering extensive commercial service, plus six regional airports providing Essential Air Service connections.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Arkansas's largest commercial service airport, handling approximately 2.6 million passengers annually with nonstop service to 16 destinations.
Bentonville/Fayetteville/Springdale
Serving the rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas region, XNA exceeded 1.14 million enplanements in 2024, a record-breaking 15.5% increase from 2023.
| Airport Name | Code | City | Annual Passengers | National Rank | On-Time Arrival | On-Time Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill and Hillary Clinton National | LIT | Little Rock | ~2,600,000 | 79th | 79.87% | 83.92% |
| Northwest Arkansas National | XNA | Bentonville | 2,293,352 | ~90th | 78.22% | 81.06% |
| Fort Smith Regional | FSM | Fort Smith | ~83,000 | 245th | 77.28% | 82.89% |
| Texarkana Regional - Webb Field | TXK | Texarkana | ~41,000 | 305th | 81.27% | 82.97% |
| South Arkansas Regional | ELD | El Dorado | ~8,000 | - | N/A | N/A |
| Jonesboro Municipal | JBR | Jonesboro | ~6,000 | 476th | N/A | N/A |
| Boone County Regional | HRO | Harrison | ~5,300 | 484th | N/A | N/A |
| Hot Springs Memorial Field | HOT | Hot Springs | ~4,800 | 545th | N/A | N/A |
| Airport | Code | Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith Regional | FSM | American Eagle | Dallas-Fort Worth only (28 weekly flights) |
| Texarkana Regional | TXK | American Eagle | Dallas-Fort Worth only (14 weekly flights) |
| Jonesboro Municipal | JBR | Southern Airways Express | St. Louis, Nashville (21 weekly flights) |
| Boone County Regional | HRO | Southern Airways Express | Dallas-Fort Worth, Memphis (fares from $39) |
| Hot Springs Memorial Field | HOT | Southern Airways Express | Dallas-Fort Worth, Memphis (Essential Air Service) |
| South Arkansas Regional | ELD | Southern Airways Express | Dallas-Fort Worth, Memphis (21 weekly flights) |
| Parking Option | Rate Structure | Daily Maximum | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Deck (Levels 2-3) | $1 per 20 minutes | $13/day | Covered, closest to terminal |
| East/West Short-Term Lots | $1 per 20 minutes | $13/day | Uncovered, near terminal |
| Long-Term Lot | $1 per 20 minutes | $10/day | Shuttle service available |
| Peanut Lot | $1 per 20 minutes | $10/day | Budget option, no shuttle |
| Parking Meters | $1 for 20 minutes max | N/A | Short-term pickup/drop-off only |
| Parking Option | Distance to Terminal | Daily Rate | Hourly Rates | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Parking | 225 feet | $24/day | $2 (1hr), $4 (2hr), $6 (3hr), $8 (4hr) | Closest to terminal |
| Parking Deck | 455 feet | $18/day | $2 (1hr), $4 (2hr), $6 (3hr), $8 (4hr) | Covered, 24 free EV chargers |
| Long-Term Parking | 523 feet | $12/day | N/A | Extended stay parking |
| Economy Parking | 895 feet | $8/day | N/A | Most affordable option |
| Valet Parking | At terminal | $16/day | N/A | Premium convenience |
| Handicap Parking | Short-Term/Deck | $6/day | N/A | Valid permit required |
TSA PreCheck allows low-risk travelers to experience expedited security screening at participating airports. Here's the status of TSA PreCheck availability at Arkansas airports:
| Airport Name | Code | TSA PreCheck Available | Checkpoint Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill and Hillary Clinton National | LIT | YES | Main Checkpoint A |
| Northwest Arkansas National | XNA | YES | Main Checkpoint |
| Fort Smith Regional | FSM | YES | FSMA Checkpoint |
| Texarkana Regional | TXK | YES | TXK01 Checkpoint |
| South Arkansas Regional | ELD | NO | Standard Checkpoint |
| Hot Springs Memorial Field | HOT | NO | Standard Checkpoint |
| Boone County Regional | HRO | NO | Standard Checkpoint |
| Jonesboro Municipal | JBR | NO | Standard Checkpoint |
Arkansas has an extensive network of 99 public airports and 120 private airports supporting general aviation, corporate travel, and rural communities. Below are key regional airports organized by region.
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock is Arkansas's largest commercial service airport, handling approximately 2.6 million passengers annually. It's the 79th largest commercial service airport in the United States and offers nonstop service to 16 destinations through 6 airlines including American, Delta, Southwest, Allegiant, and Frontier. The airport is located 9 km east of downtown Little Rock and operates approximately 100 daily flights.
However, in terms of land area, Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is the largest commercial/public/general aviation airport in Arkansas with 2,680 acres. XNA has also been experiencing rapid growth, surpassing Clinton National in monthly passenger counts during the latter part of 2024.
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is experiencing exponential growth and is the fastest-growing airport in Arkansas. In 2024, XNA surpassed 1.14 million enplanements for the first time in its 27-year history, representing a 15.5% increase from 2023 and a 25% increase from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
For the first time ever, XNA exceeded Clinton National Airport in monthly passenger counts during September, October, November, and December 2024. The airport now serves 27 nonstop destinations with 6 carriers and averages 50 flights daily. Major infrastructure improvements are underway, including a new 141-foot air traffic control tower (began construction June 2024) and a four-lane interstate-standard access road (construction started April 2024).
Arkansas has 8 commercial service airports offering scheduled passenger flights:
The two major airports (LIT and XNA) handle over 95% of the state's commercial passenger traffic, while six smaller regional airports receive federal subsidies through the Essential Air Service program.
Arkansas is served by both major carriers and regional airlines:
Major Commercial Airlines:
Regional Airlines:
Currently, there are no nonstop international flights departing from Arkansas airports. All Arkansas airports serve domestic destinations only. To reach international destinations, travelers must connect through major hub airports such as:
Both Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) and Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) have customs facilities and are designated as international airports for general aviation and cargo purposes, but do not currently offer scheduled international passenger service.
Essential Air Service (EAS) is a federal program that subsidizes commercial air service to rural and small communities that would otherwise not be profitable for airlines to serve. The program ensures these communities maintain connections to the national air transportation system.
Arkansas airports receiving EAS subsidies:
Without EAS subsidies, these communities would lose commercial air service. Tickets can be booked at iFlySouthern.com or by calling 1-800-329-0485, with fares starting as low as $39 for weekend flights.
Parking rates vary by airport and parking type:
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT):
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA):
Regional Airports: Jonesboro Municipal Airport offers free parking for all passengers. Parking rates at other regional airports are generally lower or free due to lower demand.
Yes, you can enroll in TSA PreCheck at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock. The enrollment center is located on the 3rd level of the terminal, above the TSA Security Checkpoint entrance.
TSA PreCheck Enrollment Details:
Enrollment Providers:
Once approved, you can use TSA PreCheck lanes at LIT, XNA, FSM, and TXK airports in Arkansas, as well as 200+ airports nationwide.
The most popular flight routes from Arkansas airports are connections to major hub cities that provide onward connections nationwide and internationally:
From Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT):
From Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA):
These routes are popular because they connect to major hubs that offer extensive domestic and international connections, making them essential for both business and leisure travel.
Arkansas airports have undergone significant improvements and expansions in recent years to accommodate growing passenger traffic:
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA):
Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM):
Texarkana Regional Airport (TXK):
South Arkansas Regional Airport (ELD):
Boone County Regional Airport (HRO):
These improvements demonstrate Arkansas's commitment to maintaining and expanding aviation infrastructure to support economic development and growing passenger demand.
Note: The following links will open in a new window so you can compare airports across multiple states.
Last updated on November 29, 2025