Monticello Municipal Airport/Ellis Field
Airport Road, Monticello, AR 71655<
870-367-8963
Monticello Airport Receives the 2011 Arkansas Airport of the Year award and is the only airport to receive it twice.
The following is a memorandum letter from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics director John K. Knight.
TO: Arkansas Airport Operators Association
FROM: John K. Knight, Director
Arkansas Department of Aeronautics
RE: 2011 AAOA Airport Of The Year / Monticello Municipal - Ellis Field
The Honorable Mayor Allen Maxwell
Mr. James Barnett, Manager
Mr. Bennie Ryburn III Commission Chairman
- Ability to expand facilities to meet growing economic demands of Monticello and the Southeast Arkansas Region
- Meeting these demands thru a partnership with local, state, and federal government funding
- Four project were started during the last six months using $800,736.88 in State grant awards. This state funding leveraged $170,337.88 in additional local funds for a total of $971,347.31 . The grants were awarded the fund the construction of a city-owned hanger/office complex which will accommodate a growing aviation business at the airfield. This business owns and operate 3 aircraft and employs 3 full time workers. The grants awarded not only will help retain the business, but also aid their growth and obviously will significantly increase airport revenue (income) due to the increase in air traffic.
- Excellent communication between Airport Management (Commission), FAA, State, City/County, Officials, and aviation user has been key to success for Monticello Municipal Airport.
- Overall excellent management and operation by City of Monticello in conjunction with all aviation business users. Wise use of funding to complete projects to FAA/State specifications.
The following airports have been selected "Airport of the Year" the past 13 years:
| 2011 - Monticello Municipal Airport | 2004 - Stuttgart Municipal Airport |
| 2010 - Paragould Municipal Airprt | 2003 - Searcy Municipal Airport |
| 2009 - Russelville Municipal Airport | 2002 - Rodgers Municipal Airport |
| 2008 - Monticello Municipal Airport | 2001 Little Rock National Airport |
| 2007 - Saline Co. Regional Airport | 2000 - Hot Springs Municipal Airport |
| 2006 Fayetteville Drake Field | 1999 - Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport |
| 2005 - Marianna/Lee Co. Airport | 1998 - West Memphis Municipal Airport |
Monticello Municipal Airport is a vital part of the national airport system, as well as an integral component of the transportation infrastructure that serves the City of Monticello, Drew County and southeast Arkansas. The airport provides transportation facilities that are an absolute necessity for some businesses and are a required convenience for others. Not to be overlooked, the airport, along with the aviation related businesses and facilities, represents a vital and significant regional economic asset. In addition to the many aviation related assets, the airport also provides benefits to local businesses and industry, promotes tourism, as well as encourages additional business development and expansion throughout the City, surrounding communities, and adjacent counties.
The airport is located approximately 2 miles northeast of the Central Business District of Monticello. The Airport Reference Point is located at Latitude 33° 38' 18.84" N, and Longitude 91° 45' 03.65" W. Monticello Municipal Airport, classified as a general aviation airport by the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, has an elevation of 270 feet above mean sea level and has property consisting of approximately 385 acres.