🇺🇸 Hickory Regional Airport

Hickory Regional Airport (HKY/KHKY) is a public general aviation airport located three miles west of Hickory, North Carolina, and is owned and operated by the City of Hickory. The airport covers 739 acres and has one asphalt runway, 6/24, measuring 6,401 x 150 feet. A second runway, 1/19, is 4,400 x 150 feet.

The airport opened in May 1940 with two unpaved runways. It served as a pilot training center during World War II. Scheduled air carrier service began in 1941 with Pennsylvania Central Airlines, later Capital Airlines, and was followed by Piedmont Airlines from 1952-1980. Delta Connection ceased commercial operations from Hickory in 2005. An Air Traffic Control Tower was commissioned in 1973 and remains operational as a contract tower. The airport maintains an FAA Part 139 certificate for commercial service, despite not currently having commercial airline operations.

As of May 2024, the FAA has proposed to revoke Hickory Regional Airport's operating certificate due to alleged failures to comply with safety requirements, including issues with personnel, runway maintenance, airfield markings, fuel handling, training, and wildlife mitigation. The airport is currently operational and open to the public, with a lighted wind indicator, segmented circle, and a beacon. It offers 100LL and Jet A-1+ fuel, and provides services such as air freight, charter, pilot instruction, and aircraft rental. The airport also houses the Hickory Aviation Museum.

*Sources researched: nfdc.faa.gov, hickorync.gov, faa.gov, en.wikipedia.org, skyvector.com*