What’s next for Valentine’s airport? Construction aims to attract more aircraft
VALENTINE, Neb. — Construction is wrapping up on a new apron at Miller Field in Valentine, the paved area where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, refueled, and maintained.
On Thursday night, Valentine City Council members also received an update on the airport’s layout plan.
“I think the apron is a big thing. With these larger aircraft, they now have a place to park,” said Curt Christianson, aviation team leader at Olsson.
Christianson said some pilots traveling to Valentine have had to land at other airports because their planes were too large or there wasn’t enough space. As News Channel Nebraska previously reported, Miller Field has seen a 176% increase in traffic from 2012 to 2021.
“We have two world-class golf courses just south of town not too far and a third that’s a little farther south by Mullen. We have doctors who fly in to do specialties, along with basic tourism and hunters,” Valentine Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jenny Moore previously told News Channel Nebraska.
After the apron is completed, Christianson recommended maintaining Runway 14/32 as a priority.
Phase two of the plan would remove the existing terminal building and add a new hangar, potentially with a terminal attached. The next phase would expand apron space even more, adding two large aircraft tie-downs.
“We’re going to see a lot of larger aircraft come to Valentine,” Christianson predicted.
To attract even bigger planes and improve the airport’s rating, Christianson said the runway should eventually be extended about 1,300 feet to a total of 5,500 feet—an estimated cost of $4.26 million.
Council members asked whether funding could be available through the FAA, but Christianson didn't have a definite answer. Christianson also noted that extending the runway would also likely require purchasing some nearby properties.
For now, the plans remain preliminary. The council took no action, and Christianson said he’s waiting for FAA approval of the airport layout plan before moving forward.
