🇺🇸 Western Carolina Regional Airport

## Western Carolina Regional Airport (KRHP): A Brief Factual Summary

Western Carolina Regional Airport (KRHP) is a county-owned public-use general aviation airport situated two miles west of Andrews, North Carolina, in Cherokee County. It holds the distinction of being the westernmost general aviation airport in North Carolina.

### Type of Facility and Operations

KRHP primarily serves general aviation, with 92% of its 20,500 annual aircraft operations attributed to this category as of May 2020. Air taxi and military operations also account for a smaller percentage. The airport provides essential services including fuel (100LL, Jet-A, and Jet-A1+), with self-service available 24 hours a day via credit card. Hangar and tie-down parking are offered, and major airframe and powerplant services are available. The facility also features a pilot lounge and computer access. Med-Trans Corp. operates an average of 12 medical flights per day from the airport, and the U.S. Forest Service utilizes it as a staging area for wildfire management and controlled burns.

### Notable Features and History

The airport's origins trace back to 1946 when it opened as Wood Field with a grass runway. Cherokee County acquired the airfield in 1969, subsequently renaming it Andrews-Murphy Airport. That same year, the runway was paved and lit to accommodate larger jets. In 2009, it was officially renamed Western Carolina Regional Airport. In 2017, the airport's terminal was dedicated to Mr. Richard Parker, a U.S. Navy aviation veteran and former airport manager. As of 2023, the airport supports 290 jobs and generates an annual economic output exceeding $57 million for Cherokee and surrounding counties.

### Current Status

Western Carolina Regional Airport is open to the public and operates with a single asphalt runway, designated 8/26, measuring 5,500 feet in length and 100 feet in width. It is equipped with a lighted wind indicator, a segmented circle, and an AWOS-3P weather system. Staffed hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chris Williams currently serves as the Airport Manager, and Maria Hass is the Airport Director.