Mercer County Airport – BLF Airport
Mercer County Airport is a general aviation facility as categorized by the National Integrated Airport Systems. This means that the airport is used for private aircrafts and recreational flying. It is located three miles northeast of Bluefield, Mercer County, West Virginia. Scheduled passenger services used to operate in the airport via the Essential Air Service program.
Best Time to Visit
BLF Airport covers an area of land measuring 144 acres and stands 2,857 feet above mean sea level. It has only one runway that features an asphalt surface and measures 4,743 feet long. As of October 30, 2009, the airport had a record 16,400 aircraft operation. Statistics as of 2007 showed that it had a total of 1,721 passenger boardings recorded. Passenger flights ceased in 2007 when the federal law did not allow subsidies exceeding $200 per passenger for communities that are located within 210 miles for a large or medium hub airport. The Charlotte/Douglas International Airport is located 173 miles away making Mercer County Airport part of the subsidy exemption. Residents from Ansted, Beckley, Fayetteville, and other nearby cities can still benefit from the airport but not for anymore for passenger service.
What to Do & Area Attractions
When opting to stay in a hotel near the Mercer County Airport, there are quite a few to choose from. Quality Hotel and Conference Center is only 13 minutes away and offers spacious rooms to rest in. At 12 minutes away is the Baker’s Hill Inn. Its classic rooms are beautiful and simply a pleasure to rest in.
There are also other airports located nearby. The Raleigh County Memorial Airport is 56 minutes away and the Yeager Airport in Charleston is an hour and 90 minutes away by car.
