Welcome to the glamorous world of private airports, where boarding through the commercial terminal is so last season. Who needs the hassle of rubbing elbows with others at commercial terminals when you can have your exclusive entrance? Forget about waiting in line for a stale pre-packaged sandwich and mediocre coffee; here, the only turbulence you’ll experience is deciding whether to have your champagne chilled or super-chilled. You can even breeze through security without removing your shoes. As you traverse the private aviation landscape, the question arises: why navigate through the complexities of traditional air travel when a tailored, expedited journey awaits at these refined private airports?
According to FAA’s monthly reports on business jet trends, 2023 has seen a total of 3.8 million operations till October. Of these, only about 600k are international flights, suggesting that the domestic private jet traffic in the United States is significant. From October 2022 to date, the top five corporate jet models have been the Embraer Phenom 300, Cessna 560X Citation Excel, Cessna 680A Citation Latitude, Bombardier Challenger 350, and the Hawker Beechcraft 850XP. Together, they have contributed to almost 40% of the entire private jet traffic in the country for the past year.
Top 10 Busiest Private Airports 2023 – Jet Operations
Now that we know some interesting statistics, let’s dive into the busiest private airports for 2023 as of October. The figures round up where necessary and only include operations within the United States.
- Teterboro Airport, New Jersey – 142,000
- Palm Beach International Airport, Florida – 80,000
- Dallas Love Field Airport, Texas – 73,000
- Van Nuys Airport, California – 63,000
- Harry Reid International Airport, Nevada – 60,000
- Westchester County Airport, New York – 58,000
- Dulles International Airport, Virginia – 56,000
- Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, Florida – 53,000
- William P. Hobby Airport, Texas – 52,000
- Scottsdale Airport, Arizona – 50,000
What Airport Has the Most Private Jet Traffic?
To no one’s surprise, the answer is Teterboro. The 2023 (Oct 22 – Sep 23) yearly operations from TEB round up to 142,000, making it the busiest private airport in the region. Notably, this figure is almost double the airstrip at 2nd place, signifying the absolute popularity of Teterboro above others. Preferred by celebrities and business executives seeking discreet New York arrivals, Teterboro is the go-to airstrip. With a strict weight limit of 100,000 lbs, Teterboro Aerodrome does not support commercial airline traffic. Its exclusivity and location make it a top choice for many.
Nestled in proximity to midtown Manhattan, Teterboro Airport, under the management of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), stands as a vibrant epicenter for general aviation. Its operational prowess is evident in the meticulous upkeep of two primary runways—Runway 1/19 and Runway 6/24—customized to cater to a diverse fleet of general aviation and corporate aircraft. Currently, Teterboro Runway 24 faces a 1,003-foot shortening for takeoff due to FAA and PANYNJ inspections, with aircraft departing from taxiways R or V. Supporting this aviation infrastructure is a myriad of services provided by five Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), ranging from hangar facilities to maintenance support, offering a comprehensive suite of amenities for both passengers and crew and five exclusive private jet terminals. The airstrip is also part of the most popular business jet routes in the U.S., like LA to New York and New York to Washington.
In second place, Palm Beach draws a critical share of general aviation traffic. Spanning 2,120 acres, Palm Beach International (PBI) boasts three runways with updated designations by the FAA in 2009. It distributes its 32 gates across three concourses—A, B, and C. The new 240-foot control tower on the north side replaced the former tower on the southern side. Helicopter operations utilize Runway 10R/28L or its parallel taxiways, with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Health Care District operating from hangars at the southwest corner. Along the south, GA FBOs like Jet Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, and Signature Flight Support offer services.
Ending up at the third spot is Dallas Love Field Airport. In addition to being a key hub for commercial flights, Dallas Love Field (DAL) caters to the needs of private jet travelers with dedicated facilities. The private airport provides general aviation services and private aircraft, including four full-service fixed-base operators, offering executive terminals, lounges, and concierge services. Icarus Jet is conveniently located here, offering private jet charters from/to Dallas and other services. Love Field gives a seamless and discreet experience, with exclusive lounges and terminals designed to ensure privacy and convenience. These aviation services cater to the discerning needs of business executives, celebrities, and other high-profile individuals seeking a premium travel experience.
Which States Have The Highest Private Jet Traffic?
The FAA’s OPSNET database reports the 2023 figures for general aviation traffic among U.S. states in the following order of local and itinerant GA traffic. Icarus Jet covers all these states for private charters.
- Florida – 1,761,177
- California – 1,534,333
- Texas – 1,122,623
- Arizona – 366,685
- New York – 304,852
- Washington – 294,624
- Colorado – 287,325
- Illinois – 273,095
- Georgia – 264,636
- Michigan – 230,998
When you choose Icarus Jet for your travel arrangements, our team of specialists will guide you in selecting the ideal aircraft, organizing your flight itinerary, and ensuring every detail of your journey is smooth and stress-free. Simplifying global jet charters, we cover all destinations, from vibrant Dallas and exotic Cairo to sophisticated London and beyond. Wherever your destination lies, trust Icarus Jet to make your journey exceptional.
