What are the three classifications of airports?

Classifying Airports: A Guide to Medium Hubs, Small Hubs, and Nonhubs

Airports, essential gateways to air travel, vary in size and volume of operations. To categorize these facilities, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employs a system based on commercial enplanements, which refers to the number of passengers boarding flights at an airport. This classification system divides airports into three main types: Medium Hubs, Small Hubs, and Nonhubs.

Medium Hubs: Connecting the Major Cities

Medium Hubs occupy a central position in the nation’s air transportation network, handling a significant volume of traffic while serving as connecting points for travelers from various locations. These airports process between 0.25% and 1% of annual U.S. enplanements, catering to both domestic and international flights. Examples of Medium Hubs include the likes of Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).

Small Hubs: Regional Transportation Centers

Small Hubs serve as regional transportation hubs, connecting smaller cities to larger metropolitan areas and providing access to a range of destinations. They account for 0.05% to 0.25% of annual U.S. enplanements, offering a mix of domestic and international flights. Examples of Small Hubs include cities such as Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

Nonhubs: Serving Local Communities

Nonhub airports primarily cater to local communities, offering limited commercial air service and typically handling less than 0.05% of annual U.S. enplanements. However, to be categorized as a Nonhub, an airport must still exceed 10,000 enplanements annually. Examples of Nonhubs include smaller airports such as Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) and Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI).

The categorization of airports based on commercial enplanements provides insights into their relative importance within the air transportation system. Medium Hubs serve as major gateways, connecting cities across the nation; Small Hubs play a key role in regional connectivity; and Nonhubs meet the air travel needs of local communities, providing essential transportation links.