Lea County Regional Airport is four miles west of Hobbs, in Lea County, New Mexico. The airport covers 898acre and has three runways. It is an FAA certified commercial airport served by United Airlines' affiliate with daily regional flights. Lea County Regional Airport is the largest of the three airports owned and operated by Lea County Government. Lea County also owns and operated two general aviation airports in Lovington and Jal, New Mexico.Facilities and aircraftLea County Regional Airport covers an area of 898 acres which contains three asphalt-paved runways: Runway 3/21 – 7,398 × 150 ft . Runway 12/30 – 6,002 × 150 ft . Runway 17/35 – 4,998 × 100 ft . For the 12-month period ending April 7, 2010, the airport had 11,506 aircraft operations, an average of 32 per day: 81% general aviation, 18% air taxi and 1% military. There are 47 aircraft based at this airport: 83% single-engine, 8% multi-engine, 8% jet, and 3% helicopter. The airport has one terminal for all arrivals and departures, as well as two FBO's, Tailwind Aviation and Christian Aero.The data below lists annual total aircraft operations from 2009–2013 from the FAA's air traffic activity system. The percent changes indicate an average of −13.93% in aircraft operations per year over the last 5 years.HistoryLea County Regional Airport was originally the Me-Tex Airport and opened as a commercial airport on July 23, 1937. In 1937 the Me-Tex Supply Company leased the land from the state. Oiled runways and a hangar were built.
