XNA surpasses Clinton National in enplanements years sooner than expected
by January 28, 2026 5:32 pm 3,943 views
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in Benton County exceeded enplanements, or passengers flying out, at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock six years faster than previously projected.
In 2025, XNA had 1.26 million enplanements, compared with Clinton National’s 1.16 million.
In March 2023, XNA CEO Aaron Burkes presented projections to the XNA Board of Directors showing the airport would exceed Clinton National’s enplanements in eight years or in 2031. The projections comprised a forecast by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Enplanements at Clinton National Airport fell by 1.19% to 1.16 million in 2025 from 1.17 million in 2024. Enplanements declined by 4.25% to 95,249 in December from 99,481 in December 2024.
XNA’s enplanements increased by 10.4% to 1.26 million in 2025 from 1.14 million in 2024. Enplanements rose by 0.74% to 101,700 in December from 100,948 in December 2024.
Enplanements at Fort Smith Regional Airport, the state’s third-largest commercial airport, increased by 1.56% to 62,369 in 2025 from 61,409 in 2024. Enplanements rose by 0.64% to 5,011 in December from 4,979 in December 2024.