Alpena County Regional Airport recorded fewer passenger boardings in August than a year earlier, but the airport remains on track to reach a milestone that could bring $1 million in federal support.
The airport logged 1,644 enplanements in August 2026, compared with 1,756 in August 2025. Airport Manager Mick Higgins told the Alpena County Facilities Committee on Sept. 16 that the monthly decline was less than 10%, while the year-to-date total was up by 570 enplanements.
Higgins said the airport is still expected to reach its goal of 10,000 enplanements by the end of the calendar year. Exceeding that threshold would qualify the airport for a $1 million U.S. Department of Transportation subsidy through the Essential Air Service Program. The money could be used for airport operations or equipment.
Fuel sales affected by weather, jet issues
SkyWest fuel sales increased during August but remained lower for the year overall. Higgins attributed the annual decline in part to high fuel prices and SkyWest aircraft being out of service because of weather and mechanical problems.
Despite that decrease, retail fuel sales were up 4,000 gallons compared with the same point last year. The airport had sold 136,303 gallons through its SkyWest contract and 43,291 gallons of retail jet fuel as of the committee update. SkyWest contract fuel sales were down less than 4% overall.
General aviation activity also faced unfavorable weather conditions, while fuel prices continued to discourage some activity. Higgins said the airport could not offer much relief from the higher fuel costs.
Military training brings heavy activity
The airport hosted Navy Fighters VF-106, a Navy F-18 training squadron, from Aug. 14 through Aug. 28. The group is scheduled to return next year, and Higgins said the airport is now picking up exercises regularly.
From Aug. 24 through Sept. 11, Alpena hosted Bold Quest, an exercise involving between 2,500 and 2,800 troops from 29 countries. The event brought activity across the airfield, including technical work and training operations.
German troops participating in Bold Quest purchased as much as 2,000 gallons of fuel per day from the airport for their jets. They also used airport facilities as part of the training and presented the airport with a plaque thanking staff for their assistance.
Training activity was continuing after the committee update. Through Saturday, the 149th Fighter Wing was scheduled to continue operating at the airport with 16 F-16s stationed there. Top Gun training was also underway and scheduled to continue through Oct. 5, with 18 F-18s stationed for that exercise.
Higgins said airport equipment was in good condition as the facility prepared for winter and began checking its equipment and systems. The planned military exercises, fuel activity and passenger target will continue to make the airport a busy part of Alpena’s regional transportation network.