Mercer County Regional Airport — Hazen, North Dakota
Mercer County Regional Airport serves as the primary public general aviation facility for Mercer County in west-central North Dakota. Based near Hazen, the county seat, this regional airport provides services for the broader county population, which is distributed across coal mining towns, energy facility sites, and agricultural communities in the Missouri River valley. The airport serves as a regional aviation hub for an area whose economic diversity—coal, natural gas, oil, and agriculture—generates varied aviation demand.
The airport operates under FAA Great Lakes Region oversight and receives North Dakota Aeronautics Commission support as a regional airport serving a significant catchment area. Unlike smaller municipal airports, Mercer County Regional Airport is designated to serve county-wide needs rather than a single community. Energy company aircraft, agricultural aviation, medical transport, and charter operations all use the facility. The nearest commercial service is at Bismarck Municipal Airport, approximately 50 miles east.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mercer County Regional Airport's role in western ND aviation?
Mercer County Regional Airport serves as the primary public general aviation hub for Mercer County, providing fuel, services, and runway access for a county with a diverse energy and agricultural economy.
What energy industry operations use Mercer County Regional?
Coal mining companies, power generation facilities including Coal Creek Station, and Bakken oil interests in the county all use Mercer County Regional Airport for personnel transport and operational logistics.
How far is Mercer County Regional from Minot International Airport?
Hazen and Mercer County are approximately 75-80 miles southeast of Minot International Airport (MOT). The flight takes about 40 minutes in a light aircraft.
What instrument approaches are available at Mercer County Regional?
Check current aeronautical charts and NOTAMs for instrument approach availability. Verify current IFR capability and minimums before planning instrument operations.
Mercer County Regional Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Hazen, North Dakota.
| Name | Mercer County Regional Airport |
| Address | 851 51st Avenue Southwest, Hazen ND 58545 Map |
| Phone | (701) 748-2445 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Mercer County Regional Airport
Mercer County Energy and Agriculture Drive Regional Airport Demand
Mercer County Regional Airport's designation as a regional rather than purely municipal facility reflects the county's unusually diverse economy. The Great Plains Synfuels Plant, coal mines, multiple power generation stations, and oil and gas operations create a higher level of business aviation demand than a similarly sized purely agricultural county would generate. This economic diversity justifies the investment in regional airport infrastructure.
North Dakota Aeronautics Commission programs for regional airports like Mercer County reflect the state's recognition that not all aviation needs are centered on the major metropolitan areas. Western North Dakota's energy economy requires efficient air access to support the technical professionals, executives, and workers whose operations keep the region's energy infrastructure running. Mercer County Regional Airport is a critical component of that access system.