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ALPENA -- Enplanements were down for the month of August, but were up 570 for the year at the Alpena County Regional Airport, according to Airport Manager Mick Higgins. August brought in 1,644 enplanements in 2026, while in 2025 enplanement numbers totaled 1,756.
This was a less than 10% decrease in the month of August.
Higgins presented to the Alpena County Facilities committee on Sept. 16. He said the airport is still on track to meet its 10,000 enplanement goal by the end of the calendar year.
If the airport has more than 10,000 enplanements, the airport receives a $1 million subsidy from the U.S. Department of Transportation for being a member of the Essential Air Service Program.
This money can be used for operations or equipment.
"Our numbers look good," he said.
Higgins added that SkyWest fuel sales were up for the month but down for the year-end total. He said that this is likely due to high fuel prices and SkyWest jets being down.
"SkyWest has been down, but we've had weather and mechanical issues with their jets," he said. "Our retail (fuel) sales were actually up 4,000 gallons over the last year at this time."
To date, the airport has sold 136,303 gallons of fuel through its SkyWest contract. This is less than a 4% decrease, overall. The airport also has sold 43,291 gallons of retail jet fuel.
"We haven't had favorable weather for general aviation and I think fuel prices have a lot to do with that too right now," Higgins said. "We just can't give anybody a break with the fuel prices."
OTHER AIRPORT UPDATES
Higgins told the Facilities committee that the airport's equipment status is good as the facility prepares for winter.
"For the most part, we're good," Higgins said. "We're starting to go through everything right now for the winter."
He added that the airport hosted the Navy Fighters VF-106 (Navy F-18 Training Squadron) from Aug. 14 to Aug. 28 and the group is scheduled to return next year.
"We're basically picking up exercises on a regular basis, now," Higgins said.
From Aug. 24 to Sept. 11, the airport hosted Bold Quest, which comprised between 2,500 and 2,800 troops from 29 countries.
"It was pretty busy, pretty chaotic, fairly organized," Higgins said. "That was busy having them all over the airfield, doing different tech things."
He added that Bold Quest is scheduling two years out for the annual exercise.
Higgins explained that German troops bought fuel from the airport to fuel their jets for exercises during Bold Quest. He said that the German troops were buying up to 2,000 gallons of fuel per day.
"It was a nice boost in fuel sales," Higgins added.
Higgins explained that the airport allowed the German troops to use the airport facilities as part of their training, too.
As a thank you, the troops gave the airport a plaque honoring the assistance.
"They gave us a plaque for the airport, for the assistance," Higgins said. "If we can do it again, we'll do everything we can to help them and get everybody processed."
Through Saturday, the 149th Fighter Wing will continue to train at the airport and currently has 16, F-16s stationed. The Top Gun training is also underway and will continue through Oct. 5. There are 18, F-18s stationed at the airport for that training, as well.
Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.