As the first privately built commercial airport in the U.S., Branson Airport got a lot of attention when it opened earlier this month, but another airport is due to open nearby soon — a municipal general aviation field. While that’s not a first, it happens all too rarely in these times when the news is more often about GA fields closing down. The Branson West Municipal Airport is just about 20 miles from Branson, Mo., and will feature a 5,000-foot airstrip, a taxiway, a terminal building, fuel, and about 30 hangars. The airfield is now under construction, after years of planning, and is expected to be up and running by this December.
Most of the land was donated to the city, which will invest about $16 million to complete the project. The city hopes to attract business and industry with the new airport. The Branson region is a popular vacation destination, with more than 50 live music venues, 12 championship golf courses, a theme park and other attractions.
