Airports Serving Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Sullivan County stretches along the Connecticut River in western New Hampshire, bordered by Vermont to the west and encompassing communities including Claremont, Newport, Charlestown, and Sunapee. With approximately 43,000 residents, it is one of New Hampshire's smaller counties by population. The county's character blends former mill-town heritage in Claremont with the resort and recreational economy around Mount Sunapee and Lake Sunapee. Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont and various small manufacturers provide steady employment, while the Sunapee region's skiing, boating, and outdoor recreation attract seasonal visitors. Sullivan County's western border position gives residents access to airports in both New Hampshire and Vermont.
Parlin Field (2B3) — Sullivan County's Local Airport
Parlin Field, designated 2B3 by the FAA, serves as Sullivan County's general aviation airport, located in Newport. The facility features a single paved runway measuring approximately 3,100 feet, accommodating light general aviation aircraft. Parlin Field supports recreational flying, occasional charter operations, and serves as a local aviation resource for the Newport and Sunapee Lake region. While modest in scale compared to larger regional airports, Parlin Field provides Sullivan County with its own aviation infrastructure, allowing local pilots to base their aircraft within the county and enabling visiting aviators to access the Sunapee region directly. Basic services include tie-down spaces and seasonal availability of fuel.
Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB) — Nearest Commercial Connection
Lebanon Municipal Airport, located approximately 25 miles north of Claremont in neighboring Grafton County, serves as the closest airport with scheduled airline service for Sullivan County residents. LEB offers Cape Air flights connecting to Boston Logan International Airport, providing Sullivan County travelers with a local path to the national air transportation network. The airport's 5,496-foot primary runway also supports corporate aviation, charter flights, and a busy general aviation community. The drive from Claremont to Lebanon takes about 30 minutes via Interstate 91 North and Route 120 or via Route 12A North along the Connecticut River. For Sullivan County's business community, Lebanon Municipal's corporate aviation facilities near Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center provide convenient access for visiting executives and medical professionals.
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) — Primary Full-Service Commercial Hub
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport serves as the primary commercial airport for Sullivan County travelers seeking nonstop service to major destinations. MHT lies approximately 75 miles southeast of Claremont, with a drive of roughly 90 minutes via Interstate 89 South through the Warner and Hopkinton corridor to Interstate 93. MHT provides service through Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Spirit Airlines to destinations including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York. For Sullivan County residents, the I-89 drive to Manchester is entirely highway and generally predictable, making MHT a reliable choice for domestic commercial flights.
Burlington International Airport and Additional Options
Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont presents a competitive alternative for Sullivan County travelers. Located approximately 100 miles northwest, BTV is reachable in about two hours via Interstate 91 North and Interstate 89 North through Vermont. Burlington offers nonstop flights through JetBlue, Delta, American, United, and Breeze Airways to destinations including New York JFK, Washington D.C., and Chicago. For travelers in Charlestown and southern Sullivan County, Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut is approximately 100 miles south via Interstate 91, offering Connecticut's broadest carrier and route selection. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), roughly 110 miles southeast, provides the most comprehensive route network in the region, accessible via Interstate 89 and Interstate 93. Concord Coach Lines and Dartmouth Coach bus services from the Upper Valley region offer car-free connections to Boston for Sullivan County travelers willing to drive to Lebanon or Hanover for pickup.
Sullivan County's aviation infrastructure also supports critical emergency services. Helicopter medical evacuations from the county's rural areas to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon represent a lifeline for residents experiencing serious medical emergencies in locations far from advanced hospital care. The county's terrain and sparse road network in certain areas make aviation response times significantly faster than ground ambulance service for time-critical medical emergencies requiring trauma center intervention.
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 Sullivan 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 0 Regional Airport in Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
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 1 Municipal Airport in Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
Claremont Municipal Airport
Local Airports
There are 1 Local Airport in Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
Parlin Airport
Airports in near by County
Frequently Asked Questions About Airports Near Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Travel Planning Tips for Sullivan County, New Hampshire
Sullivan County's western New Hampshire location along the Connecticut River provides highway access through two major interstate corridors. Interstate 89, accessible from Newport via Route 10 or Route 103, runs southeast to Manchester and Boston. Interstate 91, accessible from Claremont and Charlestown by crossing into Vermont, runs north to Burlington and south to Springfield and Hartford. Route 12A along the Connecticut River connects Sullivan County communities to Lebanon Municipal Airport. These corridors give Sullivan County travelers multiple routing options depending on their chosen airport and weather conditions.
Seasonal factors play a significant role in airport access planning from Sullivan County. The Interstate 89 corridor through Warner and Sutton traverses elevated terrain that is susceptible to winter weather, including snow, ice, and fog in the mountain valleys. The Mount Sunapee ski season brings increased weekend traffic on Routes 103 and 11 between November and April. Summer brings tourism traffic around Lake Sunapee and the Sunapee State Beach area, particularly on Route 103 through Newbury and Route 11 through Sunapee. Fall foliage season generates additional visitor traffic throughout the county. Planning airport departures during weekday off-peak hours minimizes the impact of these seasonal patterns, and keeping flexible between MHT, BTV, and BDL allows Sullivan County travelers to adapt their plans based on weather, fares, and scheduling needs.