As a non-hub commercial service airport, Fort Smith Regional Airport serves the Fort Smith Metropolitan Service Area, including the military mission of Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. In the 2005 BRAC, Fort Smith Regional Airport was realigned to support training and operation of eighteen A-10 “Warthog” aircraft.

R.A. Wiedemann & Associates performed a business plan in support of the Airport Master Plan, including the development of a video and airport brochures.

The recommended plan of action from the business plan included five primary strategic initiatives:

  1. Retention of Airline Passenger Market Share: The future of Fort Smith Regional Airport related directly to its success as an airline passenger airport. Marketing methods were identified that helped the Airport retain and expand their market share in the face of significant competition from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. Success in this area tied to the City’s future identity and economic development branding.
  2. Long-Term Pricing Policy: A possible moratorium on rental escalations was considered to start the process of making Fort Smith Regional Airport price-competitive for the long term.
  3. Attraction of Corporate and Other General Aviation: The attraction of corporate and other general aviation would help the economic health of the Airport while serving the air transportation needs of area companies and private citizens.
  4. Direct Airport Access: Improved access to the Airport was a key factor in the retention and growth of airline passengers at Fort Smith Regional. Improvement of the entrance road intersection at Phoenix Avenue, access to I-49, and other improvements were needed to better accommodate the airline passenger traffic to the Airport.
  5. Non-Aviation Property Development: A key revenue stream for the Airport involved the conversion of non-aeronautical property to revenue-producing leaseholds. The new revenue streams from this leased property was intended to offset the reduction in revenues from the proposed pricing policy.