Beauregard Regional Airport (DRI): Southwest Louisiana's General Aviation Hub
Beauregard Regional Airport (FAA identifier: DRI) is the primary public-use general aviation airport serving DeRidder and Beauregard Parish in southwest Louisiana. With paved runways and public access infrastructure, DRI anchors the aviation network for a region that spans from the piney woods near the Texas border to the edge of the Cajun Prairie. The airport supports private pilots, business aviation, agricultural operations, and emergency medical services, providing a vital transportation link for communities that would otherwise require 60+ mile drives to Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH) for aircraft services.
DRI operates in one of Louisiana's more complex airspace environments, with Fort Johnson (Vernon Parish) to the northeast generating Military Training Routes and restricted areas, and the broader southwest Louisiana network of private strips and agricultural operations creating shared uncontrolled airspace below Class E. The airport's facilities — including a paved runway, aircraft tie-downs, and basic FBO services — make it the preferred destination for transiting pilots crossing between Texas and Louisiana's interior, with IFR capabilities supporting operations during the Gulf Coast weather events that frequently affect the region.
What services are available at Beauregard Regional Airport (DRI)?
DRI offers public access with paved runways, aircraft tie-downs, and basic FBO services including aviation fuel. Contact the airport manager or check the FAA Chart Supplement for the most current service listings and hours of operation.
Does DRI have instrument approaches?
Yes. Beauregard Regional Airport has published instrument approach procedures, typically GPS/RNAV approaches. Check the current FAA Chart Supplement or ForeFlight for the latest approach charts before planning IFR operations at DRI.
How far is DRI from Lake Charles Regional Airport?
Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH) is approximately 55 miles east of DeRidder. LCH provides commercial airline service to Houston and Dallas, supplementing DRI's general aviation infrastructure for Beauregard Parish residents needing commercial connections.
Is military airspace a concern near DRI?
Yes. Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk) airspace in adjacent Vernon Parish includes restricted areas and Military Training Routes that affect pilots departing DRI to the northeast. Always check current sectional charts and NOTAMs before flying in this region.
Beauregard Regional Airport - DRI Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Deridder, Louisiana.
| Name | Beauregard Regional Airport - DRI |
| Address | 1220 1st Avenue, DeRidder LA 70634 Map |
| Phone | (337) 463-8250 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Beauregard Regional Airport - DRI
Airports in near by County
Visiting DeRidder and Beauregard Parish via DRI
DeRidder, Louisiana is the seat of Beauregard Parish and a community with strong ties to the military through nearby Fort Johnson. The city offers visiting pilots access to local services, Cajun cuisine, and the outdoor recreation of the Kisatchie National Forest and Calcasieu River corridor. The Wild Azalea Trail — the longest hiking trail in Louisiana at 28 miles — begins near Gardner and passes through stunning longleaf pine and hardwood forest terrain within easy driving distance of DRI. Spring wildflower blooms make the trail particularly popular with outdoor enthusiasts visiting the region.
Beauregard Regional Airport serves as a stopover point for pilots crossing between Texas and the Louisiana interior. DeRidder's position at the junction of US Highway 171 and Louisiana Highway 10 makes it accessible by road from multiple directions once pilots land at DRI. Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH) is the nearest commercial service facility for those needing airline connections. The Louisiana DOTD Aviation Section invests in DRI as a key node in its Southwest Louisiana Aviation System Plan, recognizing the airport's role in both routine general aviation and emergency operations during hurricane season.