Safford Airport awarded Airport of the Year for Aviation Safety, designing new terminal

Safford Airport Manager Cameron Atkins hold the trophy after Safford Airport was named Airport of the Year for Aviation Safety by the FAA. - Contributed Photo/City of Safford

SAFFORD — 2025 has been a good year for Safford Regional Airport-1LT Duane Spalsbury Field — and the year is barely into its second month.

Following the start of passenger air service between Safford and Phoenix, the airport was named Airport of the Year for Aviation Safety by the Federal Aviation Authority.

According to airport officials, the award recognizes, “the City of Safford’s efforts to improve airport safety through investments in infrastructure, staffing, and public safety.”

The City Council also gave airport officials the go-ahead to continue with design of a new airport terminal.

An artist’s rendering of a new terminal at the Safford Airport currently under design. The 4,392-square-foor terminal would be located southeast of the exiting terminal.
– Contributed Image/City of Safford

Tentative design calls for a new terminal at the location of an unused hanger, southeast of the current terminal.

Preliminary plans call for a 4,392-square-foot ground floor, with a 686-square-foot second-floor mezzanine.

The ground floor would contain an airline office and ticketing counter, a rental car office, passenger waiting area, conference room, space for the TSA and baggage screening  when the number and size of flights increase, and restrooms.

The mezzanine would house offices and a small conference room.

Design also calls for a total of 51 parking spaces, with two being ADA-compliant.

Cost is currently estimated at about $2.3 million, which includes $1.4 million for terminal construction, $412,000 for parking lot construction and the remainder in contingency.

Airport Manager Cameron Atkins said the FAA indicated the plan meets its guidelines, and could make the project grant eligible.

“Because the airport is now transitioning from a general aviation to a commercial service airport, that does increase our grant eligibility from the FAA’s perspective,” Atkins said.

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