Airports Serving Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Hillsborough County is New Hampshire's most populous county, home to approximately 420,000 residents and the state's two largest cities — Manchester and Nashua. The county stretches from the Merrimack River valley through suburban communities like Bedford, Amherst, Milford, and Hollis to the more rural western reaches near Hillsborough and Antrim. As the economic engine of New Hampshire, the county hosts major employers including BAE Systems, Fidelity Investments, DEKA Research, and numerous technology firms along the Route 101A and Everett Turnpike corridors. Hillsborough County enjoys the significant advantage of having New Hampshire's largest commercial airport within its borders, providing residents with direct access to domestic air service without leaving the county.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) — The Home Airport
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, located in the southern part of Manchester, serves as both Hillsborough County's and New Hampshire's primary commercial aviation facility. MHT handles over one million passengers annually and offers nonstop service to more than 15 major destinations through carriers including Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. Key nonstop routes include Atlanta (Delta), Charlotte (American), Chicago Midway (Southwest), Detroit (Delta/Spirit), Orlando (Southwest/Spirit), Philadelphia (American/Spirit), Baltimore/Washington (Southwest), Fort Lauderdale (Spirit), and New York LaGuardia (Delta/United). The airport's single-terminal design, free Wi-Fi, and ample parking — including a covered garage and economy surface lots — make it exceptionally convenient for Hillsborough County travelers, many of whom live within a 20-minute drive of the terminal.
Boire Field (ASH) — Nashua's General Aviation Airport
Boire Field, identified by FAA code ASH, serves as Nashua's general aviation airport, located in the southern part of the city near the Massachusetts border. The airport features a primary paved runway measuring 5,501 feet, capable of accommodating corporate jets and mid-size business aircraft. Boire Field supports a vibrant general aviation community, including flight training schools, aircraft maintenance operations, charter services, and corporate aviation departments. For Hillsborough County's southern communities — Nashua, Hollis, Brookline, and Milford — Boire Field provides convenient access to private and business aviation without the need to travel north to Manchester. The airport's proximity to the Route 3 and Everett Turnpike technology corridors makes it particularly valuable for corporate travelers.
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) — Major Hub Access
Boston Logan International Airport provides Hillsborough County residents with access to an extensive network of over 100 nonstop domestic and international destinations. BOS lies approximately 55 miles south of Manchester and 40 miles south of Nashua, with drive times ranging from 50 minutes to 90 minutes depending on starting location and Boston traffic conditions. Logan is served by virtually every major domestic and international carrier, making it the essential option for Hillsborough County travelers seeking international flights, niche domestic routes, or specific airline loyalty program options not available at MHT. The Boston Express bus service operates scheduled routes from Nashua and Manchester directly to Logan Airport terminals, providing a convenient car-free alternative that avoids Boston's notorious traffic and expensive airport parking.
Additional Aviation Facilities
Hillsborough County travelers have access to additional airports for specific needs. Thomas B. Sulloway Airport in Franklin and other small general aviation strips serve recreational pilots in the county's western communities. For travelers in western Hillsborough County near Peterborough and Jaffrey, the Jaffrey Airport-Silver Ranch (AFN) offers a 3,000-foot paved runway for light general aviation. Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) in Massachusetts, approximately 60 miles south of Nashua, has seen renewed commercial service with JetBlue flights. Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut, is reachable in about 90 minutes from Nashua and offers an expanded selection of Southwest and other carrier routes. These options complement the strong primary service at MHT and BOS, giving Hillsborough County one of the most robust airport access profiles in northern New England.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major New Hampshire Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 1 Regional Airport in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
Manchester Boston Regional Airport - Mht
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
Local Airports
There are 4 Local Airport in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
Brookline Airport
Quality Airport Shuttle
Steck Farm Airport
Boire Field Airport - Ash
Airports in near by County
Frequently Asked Questions About Airports in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Transportation Infrastructure in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County's transportation network is the most developed in New Hampshire, centered on the Interstate 93 and Everett Turnpike (Route 3) corridors that connect Manchester and Nashua to Boston. Interstate 293 provides a Manchester beltway that facilitates access to MHT from surrounding communities. Route 101 runs east-west, connecting the Seacoast region through Manchester to the Monadnock Region. For airport access, most county residents are within 30 minutes of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, making it one of the most airport-accessible counties in the state. The Boston Express bus service, Uber, Lyft, and numerous taxi and livery services provide alternatives to personal vehicles for airport transportation.
Traffic patterns in Hillsborough County generally follow predictable commuter schedules, with the Everett Turnpike and Interstate 93 southbound experiencing heavy morning congestion and northbound afternoon congestion due to the significant cross-border commuter flow between New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Travelers heading to Logan Airport should avoid departing during these peak periods or use the Boston Express bus service to bypass the congestion entirely. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport rarely experiences the kinds of delay-causing congestion seen at larger airports, making it ideal for business travelers who value predictability. Parking at MHT remains significantly more affordable than Logan, with economy rates that make week-long trip parking financially practical for Hillsborough County families.