Little Rock city board denies Bill Walker reappointment to Airport Commission

Little Rock city board denies Bill Walker reappointment to Airport Commission

Bill Walker, a prominent chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, recently faced denial for reappointment by the Little Rock City Board. Despite his extensive background in public service and his significant contributions to the commission overseeing the Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport, the reasons for the board’s decision remain unclear. Speculation suggests internal conflicts or concerns over recent business dealings may have influenced the outcome. While some view this as an opportunity for new perspectives, others lament the loss of Walker’s leadership.

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New Bentonville communications and airport leaders discuss breaking ground as primary objective

New Bentonville communications and airport leaders discuss breaking ground as primary objective

Bentonville is entering a dynamic phase of growth, emphasizing aviation and communications development with new leadership in both sectors. The Bentonville Municipal Airport – Louise M. Thaden Field is undergoing significant upgrades, enhancing its role as a key transportation hub while aiming to secure over .8 million in federal funding for further improvements. In communications, the new leaders are focused on integrating innovative technologies to enhance public services and community engagement, highlighted by events like the UP.Summit showcasing advanced transportation innovations. This dual focus on infrastructure and connectivity positions Bentonville for substantial future advancements.

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Bentonville City Council approves applying for more than .8 million grants for airport projects

Bentonville City Council approves applying for more than .8 million grants for airport projects

The Bentonville City Council has approved applications for over .8 million in grants to support key projects at the Municipal Airport, signaling a commitment to enhancing infrastructure for economic growth. Among these projects is a hangar access road to facilitate seamless access to new developments, with a grant secured from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. Additionally, grants from the FAA will support taxiway construction and runway lighting, ensuring safety and efficiency for airport operations and showcasing the city’s dedication to progress. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to boost aviation infrastructure and drive economic benefits for the community, solidifying Bentonville’s regional prominence.

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Bentonville City Council Approves Applying for More than .8 Million Grants for Airport Projects

Bentonville City Council Approves Applying for More than .8 Million Grants for Airport Projects

The Bentonville City Council has approved over .8 million in grants for airport development, signaling a significant step forward in enhancing the Bentonville Municipal Airport. With projects like taxiway construction and runway lighting improvements on the horizon, the city aims to solidify its reputation as a key aviation hub in the region. Alongside recent grants from the FAA and the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics, Bentonville’s commitment to upgrading airport facilities underscores its dedication to fostering economic growth and supporting the aviation community.

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Little Rock airport to go cashless for parking starting Monday

Little Rock airport to go cashless for parking starting Monday

Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, is making the shift to a cashless parking system starting September 9. Self-service kiosks will accept credit, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, ensuring faster transactions for the majority of patrons. While cash payment options will still be available through an on-site employee and a cash-to-credit card exchange kiosk, the airport is expecting positive impacts from this modernization effort.

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Labor Day Weekend travel winds down at XNA

Labor Day Weekend travel winds down at XNA

Air travel at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) slowed down as the Labor Day weekend came to a close. Despite a surge in travel over the holiday weekend, operations and passenger traffic returned to normal early this week. The airport saw busy crowds, with enplanements breaking through the 100,000 mark in the past two months. XNA’s success is credited to an increasing number of non-stop destinations, making it an attractive travel hub for the region.

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XNA travelers experience Labor Day weekend crowds

XNA travelers experience Labor Day weekend crowds

The Labor Day weekend is bringing a surge of travelers to XNA, with record-breaking enplanement numbers and an expanding list of non-stop destinations. As the airport prepares for the busy holiday period, officials are advising passengers to arrive at least two hours early to navigate security efficiently. With lower travel costs and improved accessibility, the TSA anticipates screening over 30,000 passengers during the holiday weekend, reflecting a nationwide trend of increased travel.

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Portion of downtown Little Rock experiencing Wednesday night outage

Portion of downtown Little Rock experiencing Wednesday night outage

The sudden and mysterious outage that hit downtown Little Rock left residents puzzled as they experienced a rare power disruption on a Wednesday night. Locals shared their confusion about the unprecedented event, with no clear explanation for the outage. The city’s services were severely disrupted, leading to flight delays at Little Rock’s airport and impacting global computer systems. Airlines scrambled to restore order and issue travel waivers as the repercussions of the outage were felt around the world.

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Escape Lounges to expand into XNA this winter

Escape Lounges to expand into XNA this winter

Escape Lounges will soon be expanding into XNA this winter, making it the smallest airport in the U.S. to feature a branded lounge. Travelers can expect unlimited food, a full bar, and high-speed internet access for a daily fee of , which can be reduced with advance booking or complimentary access for certain American Express cardholders. The lounge is set to open in November 2024 and will operate from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., offering a luxurious and convenient experience for passengers at XNA.

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XNA Receives .88 Million for New Air Traffic Control Tower

XNA Receives .88 Million for New Air Traffic Control Tower

The Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is set for major upgrades thanks to a recent financial boost of .41 million in federal funding. Projects that will benefit from this allocation include a new air traffic control tower and a connector road, aimed at improving safety and accessibility at the airport. US Representative Steve Womack played a key role in securing this funding, which was part of the .7 trillion federal spending law for fiscal year 2023. The new air traffic control tower will replace the existing structure to meet FAA requirements, with completion expected by April 2025.

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