Grand Canyon National Park Airport, operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation, has been named Arizona's Airport of the Year for 2026. The award comes after the airport completed a $12 million project that resurfaced its sole runway, reconfigured a key taxiway intersection, refreshed apron markings and updated signage to meet current Federal Aviation Administration standards. 

The award was announced April 23. The Town Council got the news at its April 14th meeting.

Airport Manager David Reffner told the Town Council, "This is not just the airport's award this is the whole aviation community's award and Tusayan's award."

Reffner also said the airport is seeking a federal grant to rehabilitate the terminal building which was built in 1967 and is overdue for an update. Reffner is also working to bring major airline service back to the airport.

The award is presented annually by the ADOT Aeronautics Group, which supports Arizona’s 67 publicly owned and operated airports by dispersing grant funding for capital improvement projects. 

The award noted  Reffner’s role in engaging staff to execute upgrades while maintaining safety and service for Grand Canyon visitors. Airport staff coordinated planning, contractor oversight, safety, operations and communicating with stakeholders.

This is the first time that Grand Canyon National Park Airport has been named Airport of the Year. It opened in October 1965, and its terminal was dedicated in October 1967.