St. George Regional Airport
Growth, Progress, Expansion
Presented by Julie Millett, market specialist and top-producing Realtor with more than 25 years of luxury real estate experience.
Serving Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
If you have ever ventured to St. George, Utah for business, family or personal travel, then you know it can be a bit of a hunt to find desirable flight options to and from St. George Regional Airport (SGU). Limited itineraries currently operate non-stop flights to Phoenix (PHX); Denver (DEN); Salt Lake City (SLC); and seasonally, to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) airports; and beginning September, 26, 2024, direct flights from SGU to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), will be available.
However, these tickets often come at a high price, and as such, many people find it more budget-friendly and convenient to make the drive or take a shuttle to Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) to catch a direct flight to their destination.
But changes are in the works at SGU, with expansion plans underway to meet the demands of the rapidly growing number of travelers.
The new SGU airport opened in January of 2011, serving roughly 137,000 people in that year. With the rapid growth of both residents and yearly visitors to Southern Utah, the airport saw an increase of traffic by more than double that amount by the end of 2023 - numbers that were not anticipated for another 20 years. Constrained not only by the airport footprint, flight traffic is also currently controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration in Southern California. This means that as Utah skies increase in flight traffic, many airlines are hesitant to make a stop at SGU without an air traffic control tower.
Since 2022, city officials have been teaming with State lawmakers to procure funds for upgrading the airport to offer more services and expand flight options. Included in the proposed expansion plans are:
- A remodel and expansion of the secure area from 10,000 square feet, to an additional 4500-6000 square feet.
- Land purchase of an additional 53 acres, to provide a 1200+ acre airport with a buffer that will help mitigate future encroachment.
- Installation of infrastructure on Airport Road, such as curbs, asphalt, etc.
- Air traffic control tower
- Siting and environmental study
The FAA has recently approved the construction of an air traffic control tower and $15 million has been allocated for the project. Design plans and environmental impact analysis are underway and will be finished by the time a final site location has been determined. Installation of the tower is expected to take 18 months and should be complete by the first part of 2026. This new tower will increase air traffic safety, reduce delays, and open the doors to new destinations. The expanded apron and taxiway have already been completed, and will help accommodate up to triple the amount of large aircraft.
Additionally, fixed base operator (FBO), Million Air, is currently in the process of a $5 million renovation that will include an additional 5500 square feet, enhanced amenities, a full-service cafe, spacious balcony, outdoor seating, a coffee and refreshment bar and 14,000 square feet of hangar space.
Meanwhile, a new 11,000 square foot structure is under construction that will house Sandstone Aviation, the second of SGU’s FBOs. The expansion of the taxiway and apron, as well as the new building, will cater to general aviation uses such as charter and corporate flights, personal aircraft, and non-commercial flights that do not go through the terminal.
Best of all, this heavy lifting sets the stage to more easily accommodate a shift to larger capacity planes and added commercial flights when the time comes. Terminal expansion is expected to begin in the next 3-4 years.
While completion of upgrade plans may seem far away, it is timely progress for the beautiful regional airport that Southern Utah has come to love. With hopes of meeting local demand for more flight options to West Coast cities such as San Francisco and Seattle, SGU is “wheels up” and well into renovation and expansion plans to serve your future travel needs.
Interested in making a home in St. George, Utah or surrounding areas?
Ask Julie Millett, your relocation and luxury home expert. Serving some of the sunniest locations in the continental US, Julie specializes in retirement, gated and golf communities and has extensive real estate experience in Southern Utah; Cave Creek and Wickenburg, Arizona; and Southern Nevada.
With unparalleled market knowledge and a commitment to personalized service, Julie is the premier choice for discerning buyers and sellers of luxury homes.
435-705-3298
