By Matthew Holloway |
New research ranks the Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) third among U.S. airports for arrival delays, with flights idling an average of 32 minutes and 31 seconds, according to a recent study. The study found that between May 2024 and May 2025, the time lost across 791 arrivals totaled 25,716 minutes.
The study from student travel company Rustic Pathways, based on Bureau of Transportation Statistics data on scheduled versus actual arrival times, paints a grim picture for regional flyers. PRC trails only Lea County Regional Airport (HOB) in New Mexico, where delays average a whopping 37 minutes and 24 seconds per flight, and Victoria Regional Airport (VCT) in Texas at 33 minutes and 45 seconds. Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) in Michigan rounds out the top five at nearly 32 minutes.
Arizona’s high-country travelers aren’t likely to see mere statistics in this report, but rather a summer of stalled plans. PRC, which sits at an elevation of 5,045 feet, is hemmed in by ponderosa pines and subjected to mercurial wind and weather patterns. It has a single runway serving American Eagle and Contour Airlines, handling under 1,000 flights in the period, amplifying every hiccup. Monsoons and mountain turbulence play their part, accounting for 6.91 percent of delays nationwide, according to the study. But carriers shoulder 37 percent of the blame across U.S. airports, a potent reminder that human error often outstrips Mother Nature in accounting for delays.
Rustic Pathways CEO Shayne Fitz-Coy explained the challenges faced by PRC, “Looking at the data overall also shows us that carrier delays account for 37% of delay minutes at each US airport, with 6.91% delays coming from weather, highlighting the fact that many flights are delayed at the fault of a flight operator, and not just natural occurrences.”
As reported by The Daily Courier, the Prescott City Council heard a presentation at its Tuesday, Sept. 23 study session on a proposal for a runway shift and extension at Prescott Regional Airport, which would, if approved, save the city millions of dollars in land acquisition costs, according to Airport Director Rick Crider and Project Manager Charlie McDermott with Dibble Engineering. In May, the city purchased parcels at the southern end of the runway for a slated expansion at a cost of about $3.2 million.
Seven of the top 10 airports ranked for delays clocked fewer than 1,000 flights, turning minor snags into major problems. Conversely, Minnesota’s St. Cloud Regional Airport (STC) is the punctuality leader, with arrivals delayed a mere 1 minute and 46 seconds on average.
In his Labor Day message published in The Prescott Times, Mayor Phil Goode announced in September that “additional flight and schedule enhancements are coming to Prescott Regional Airport,” slated for October.
“An additional United Express flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines, will soon be available between Prescott Regional Airport and Denver International Airport. Starting October 26th, air travelers in northern Arizona will have two daily options to connect to Denver and the world, through United’s Denver hub, in addition to the daily flight to United’s hub at Los Angeles International Airport.
“The enhanced schedule will include both a morning and an early evening option to Denver. Plus, the flight to Los Angeles will soon connect to more flight options by departing earlier in the day around noontime. Each of the flights to and from Prescott Regional Airport will be onboard Bombardier CRJ200 50-seat regional jet aircraft.
“These service improvements are indicative of the strong demand in Prescott and the surrounding region. Airlines have many requests and an abundance of opportunities to serve smaller communities, the fact that they are allocating more of their aircraft and their crew resources to Prescott Regional Airport is a testament to the partnership and collaboration with SkyWest and United Airlines.”
Prescott officials haven’t commented on the Rustic Pathways report. However, United Express, PRC’s main carrier, has cited “operational challenges” at the airport in filings, according to Dibble Engineering.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
