

Sioux Falls Regional Airport (76.8 miles / 123.6 kilometers).Sioux Gateway Airport (6.8 miles / 10.9 kilometers).In all, 492 acres of land is owned by SCRAA, including property for a future crosswind runway. Land acquisition by SCRAA began in 2010 and was completed in December 2013. Next an airport master plan/layout plan, environmental assessment and benefit/cost analysis were completed and accepted. A feasibility study was submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and accepted by the FAA in May 2005. In 2004, the Sioux County Regional Airport Agency (SCRAA) was created with a partnership agreement by Sioux County, the City of Orange City and the City of Sioux Center. These identified site constraints precluded development or expansion of existing facilities to comply with federal design standards for larger aircrafts. As a result of these deficiencies, a resource group was established, public meetings were held, potential locations for a new airport were evaluated and an Airport Feasibility Study was completed.

The constraints included deficiencies relating to runway lengths and widths, approach minimums, gradient issues and site obstructions. These airports all had constraints that limited usage and made them unable to accommodate larger planes.

The area airports at that time were located in Orange City, Hawarden and Sioux Center. At that time, local officials had recognized that existing airport facilities could not safely accommodate current or future aeronautical demand. Discussions relating to the need for a new regional airport facility to serve the Sioux County area began in 1999.
