Concord-Padgett Regional Airport has landed an international certification for best practices in business aviation ground handlers, including safety management. Concord is only the second fixed-based operator in North Carolina to achieve top honors from the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling.

The airport undertook the certification process in 2017, focusing on upgrading equipment, updating the Safety Management System (SMS) program, updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manuals and employee training and successfully completing an independent audit of operations and changes made to meet IS-BAH standards.

Communication is one of the key aspects of the IS-BAH program, and part of the Stage II process. The airport encourages all tenants and visitors to report safety and security issues to Aviation staff so it can continue providing the safest operating environment possible.

The airport is operated by the City of Concord Aviation Department. The 40-person unit provides aircraft fueling, hangaring, tie-down, parking, and customer services. The airport was one of the first airports in the nation to partner with the FAA and complete a SMS program for a general aviation airport.

Many airport operations are related to the motorsports industry as most NASCAR related teams are located in the Charlotte region, several with facilities adjacent to or near the airport. The airport’s strong general aviation focus has been enhanced by the availability of Allegiant Air’s scheduled passenger service to six destinations.

The airport opened in 1994 with a general aviation terminal and a 5,500-foot runway and has grown to be one of the busiest airports in the Carolinas.