# Mason City Municipal Airport

Mason City Municipal Airport (IATA: MCW, ICAO: KMCW, FAA LID: MCW) is located six miles west of downtown Mason City, in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. It is in the northern part of Lake Township, just east of the city of Clear Lake. It is used for general aviation and has airline service subsidized through the Essential Air Service (EAS) program.
The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025 categorized it as a non-primary commercial service airport.

## History

On February 2, 1942 Mason City decided to build a new airport and purchased 312 acres several miles west of the city. The new Mason City Municipal Airport saw its first official landing on March 29, 1945. The airport had two paved runways, associated taxiways, and a small ramp area. A remodeled farmhouse was used as the first terminal during the dedication on June 22, 1946.
Airline flights began in 1946, on Mid-Continent; successor Braniff left in 1959. Ozark started in 1955 and pulled out in 1983. They now have daily flights to and from Chicago (KORD) through Skywest by United Airlines on CRJ-200's.
A new commercial service terminal building was constructed and opened July 31, 2024. The new 23,000 square foot terminal replaced the existing terminal constructed in 1966.
Musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with pilot Roger Peterson, died in a plane crash after taking off from Mason City Municipal Airport in the early morning hours of February 3, 1959, after a concert at the Surf Ballroom in nearby Clear Lake. This event is not commemorated anywhere on the airport grounds; a private monument is near the crash site.

## Facilities

The airport covers 1,103 acres (446 ha) at an elevation of 1,214 feet (370 m). It has two asphalt runways: 18/36 is 6,501 by 150 feet (1,982 x 46 m) and 12/30 is 5,502 by 150 feet (1,677 x 46 m).
In the year ending June 30, 2020 the airport had 33,600 aircraft operations, an average of 92 per day: 90% general aviation, 10% air taxi and less than 1% military. In April 2022, there were 51 aircraft based at this airport: 46 single-engine, 2 multi-engine, 2 jet and 1 helicopter.
North Iowa Air Service (NIAS) is a full service Field Based Operation (FBO) That includes full service fueling, a restaurant, flight planning, pilots lounge, kitchen, internet workspace, restrooms, showers, Wi-Fi, aircraft parking, aircraft rentals, courtesy cars, limo service, oxygen, pilot supplies, rental cars, hangar space, maintenance, along with Charter Flights, lavatory service, de-icing,

## Federal grants

In 2005 the airport was awarded a $4,559,986 federal grant to rehabilitate a runway and relocate a localizer out of a runway safety area.
In 2007 the airport received a $1 million federal grant to help purchase a perimeter fence around its runways.
In 2009 the airport commission received a $820,916 federal grant to rehabilitate the airport's parking lot and for a Master Abstract Title Opinion study for the airport.
In 2010 the airport received $24,463 in federal funding for runway incursion markings.
A 2011 federal grant provided $115,865 for apron rehabilitation.
In 2012 the airport received a federal grant of $886,604 for the rehabilitation of its parking lot pavement.
A 2013 federal grant paid for $540,000 of snow removal equipment for the airport.
In 2014 the airport was awarded $601,317 in federal grants for improvements to its infrastructure.
In 2021 the airport was awarded over $1,215,000 in federal grants for a new terminal to accommodate incoming airline traffic for Mason City Municipal Airport.

## Airline and destinations

SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, started service from Mason City to Chicago O'Hare International Airport on March 1, 2021. Earlier, Mason City had airline service on Air Choice One, Great Lakes Airlines and Mesaba Airlines.
| Airlines | Destinations |
| United Express | Chicago–O'Hare |

### Statistics

Top domestic destinations (August 2023 – July 2024) :
| Rank | Airport | Passengers |
| 1 | Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) | 5,380 |
| 2 | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) | 380 |

## Incidents

* On August 22, 1954 Braniff Airlines Flight 4630, a Douglas DC-3, crashed south of Mason City Municipal Airport after departing Waterloo Regional Airport in nearby Waterloo. The aircraft crashed after entering a thunderstorm at a low altitude. 12 of 19 passengers died.
* In the early morning hours of February 3, 1959 (also known as 'the day the music died'), following a concert at the Surf Ballroom in nearby Clear Lake, musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with pilot Roger Peterson, died after the Beechcraft Bonanza they were flying in crashed after taking off from the Mason City Municipal Airport.

## Ground transportation

Mason City Municipal Airport is served by Jefferson Lines intercity buses. The local transit agency Mason City Transit does not serve the airport.