April 24 at Lincoln South Rotary - Lincoln Airport

Anthony Dudas and Rachel Barth of the Lincoln Airport presented at Lincoln South Rotary Club on April 24, 2026.

They started by sharing some key facts about the Lincoln Airport:

  • It is a public airport that is close to the City - only 10 minutes from downtown
  • There are 5 board members of the Lincoln Airport Authority that operates the airport
  • It is on the site of a former military base
  • 5,500+ acres (top 20 largest U.S. airports by land area)
    • One of the largest industrial parks in the Midwest
  • Supports 8,300+ jobs
  • $1B+ annual economic impact
  • 3 runways, including a 12,900-ft primary runway that can land the Space Shuttle, that runway is being renovated
  • Commercial service on 3 airlines
  • On-site infrastructure including private water and sewer systems
  • Appeared in movies - Terms of Endearment, YES Man, kid’s move Planes
  • Charles Lindbergh learned to fly in Lincoln
  • Guardians of Freedom = 340,000; one of the largest air shows in history

In a study by the University of Nebraska the overall economic impact annual for the full property (including air park and businesses) - $1.01 Billion. Drivers save about 87,100 hours over driving to other airport.

There are four core business areas at the Lincoln Airport

  • Commercial Aviation
  • General Aviation
  • Military
  • LNK Enterprises - Industrial Park (Air Park)
The primary runway is undergoing reconstruction. This nearly $100m project includes state and federal funding. The project started in 2026 and will finish in 2028. The outcome will be a runway that can continue and support the next generation of aircraft and military operations.
 
Three airlines fly out of Lincoln - United, American and Breeze. There are flights available to Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Orange County, Orlando and Phoenix. There will be 16 flights on a peak day in 2026. That is up from 8 in 2024 and 10 in 2025.
 
They shared a digital site FlyMyAirport that can be used by travelers to find flights and compare costs. The data collected on sites like these are important for marketing - it provides measurable insights.

BIOS

Rachel Barth

Director of Air Service Development & Strategic Marketing | Lincoln Airport Authority
 
Rachel Barth leads air service development, marketing, and communications for Lincoln Airport (LNK), helping expand airline service and enhance the passenger experience. Since joining LNK in 2020, she has played a key role in securing new carriers and destinations—strengthening connectivity for travelers across Nebraska.
 
A graduate of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Rachel resides in Bennet, Nebraska, with her husband and two children on their family acreage. She is a Certified Member (C.M.) of the American Association of Airport Executives and was named one of Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 in 2023. She is passionate about growing aviation in her home state and inspiring future leaders through Women in Aviation International.
 

Anthony Dudas

I’m honored to be joining the Lincoln Airport Authority as Executive Director. With nearly two decades in the aviation industry, I’ve dedicated my career to strengthening airport operations, improving air service, and advancing infrastructure that supports growing communities.

Most recently, I’ve served as Airport Director at the Williston Basin International Airport (XWA), where I led the planning, construction, and transition to North Dakota’s newest commercial airport and oversaw all operational, regulatory, and strategic initiatives. I’ve been privileged to work alongside talented teams, regional partners, and state and federal agencies to expand air service, deliver major capital improvements, and grow non-aeronautical business opportunities.

I’ve been engaged in the regional aviation industry through the Airport Association of North Dakota as their Vice President, and have been proud to contribute to aviation education and community initiatives through the Make-A-Wish North Dakota Board of Directors, the TrainND Northwest Board, and as Chair of the Williston High School Aviation Program advisory committee. These roles have allowed me to help advance both the aviation profession and the communities I serve.

I look forward to bringing my passion for airports, collaborative leadership approach, and strategic focus to Lincoln as we continue enhancing air service, developing airport and industrial park infrastructure, and strengthening our role in the region’s economy.