Spirit Lake Municipal Airport

Introduction

The Spirit Lake Municipal Airport (IATA: RTL, FAA LID: 0F3) is a public-use airport located two miles northeast of the city and on Big Spirit Bay in Arnolds Park, both communities are within Dickinson County. It serves the Spirit Lake area and provides an important link to air transportation for a largely rural community. Though it lacks the scope and scale of major global gateways, Spirit Lake Municipal Airport is an important air transport asset for passengers by providing a quick and easy travel experience to and from this airport.

Airlines and Destinations

The Spirit Lake Municipal Airport is a regional airport that has few airlines available to offer services. Allegiant Air is the only major carrier listed on its schedule. Allegiant also provides nonstop service to and from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Mesa, Arizona. The move offers residents of the Spirit Lake area an option for a quick connection to the Southwest United States.

Along with Allegiant, the airfield accommodates private and chartered general aviation as well. The airport features one runway that is shared by several private aircraft and small charter services for business trips across the Midwest.

Passengers and Flights

Located in the city of Spirit Lake, IA, this relatively small airport has a control tower and scheduled service for commercial passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport processed an overall passenger total just over 25,000 - most of them flying Allegiant's Phoenix run on a seasonal basis.

Flight operations - the airport recorded nearly 12,000 takeoffs and landings in its first year. This includes commercial airline flights as well as private and chartered general aviation activity. However, the airport is far from a major hub in terms of passenger numbers and flight counts, but it plays an important role serving local air transportation needs.

How to Get Here

Spirit Lake Municipal Airport coordinates: 3 miles south of Spirit Lake, Iowa (IA). From the arterial highway nearby, there are copious signs indicating the way to take. The airport has good road access.

If you are driving to the airport, take 210th Street and head for the main entrance. These connect directly to Iowa Highway 86, which provides a fast route from the neighboring towns and cities. It is only a 10-minute drive from the heart of Spirit Lake.

Parking

There is a very small surface lot available for those flying out of the airport. This lot is just off the front of the terminal building, which makes for easy entrance. For all airport users, parking is free.

The airport also has an overflow parking lot that is opened when the main one becomes full. The overflow area is located near the terminal and a shuttle service will be running for passengers.

In general, Spirit Lake Municipal Airport parking is easy to navigate and there are plenty of options available for both brief or long-term stays.

Transportation Pricing

Spirit Lake Municipal Airport does not provide public road transportation, but it is good for a break if you are coming in with a helicopter or biplane. Most people travelling to and from the airport use their private vehicle, hire a car or own one.

Local taxi and rideshare services are a few options for people without access to private transportation. The typical one-way fares from the airport to destinations within Spirit Lake are $10-$15. The cost might be slightly higher if your trip destination is the greater Okoboji area.

Buses, ferries and other forms of public transport do not operate directly out of the airport. Nonetheless, another advantage of the location is that a stop serving local public transport services is situated just a few streets away, with which it communicates to other areas in the city via low-fare buses.

Terminal Layout

General Layout:

Spirit Lake Municipal Airport is a smaller airport with all services located in one terminal. Maintenance and support for passenger processing functions, including ticketing, security screening of passengers and baggage loading, make up the terminal building.

The terminal is a single-story building and about 5,000 square feet in total size. This provides an efficient and comfortable experience for travelers despite the fact that it is quite small.

There are separate entrances to the terminal for arrivals and departures. Departures: Ticketing counters, TSA security checkpoint. Arrivals: Baggage claim carousel. The terminal is equipped with passenger waiting areas and facilities, including lavatories.

The Spirit Lake Municipal Airport terminal is basic, but it is also easy to navigate for those coming in and seeking rental.

Navigate the Airport

Owing to its relatively small size and straightforward layout, Spirit Lake Municipal Airport is an easy place through which passengers can navigate.

When passengers get off the planes, they will enter into a departures area, where travelers can check in at their airline ticket counters and then move through TSA security. Clear signs guide them to the correct destinations.

To the right of this is the gate hold room and boarding area after clearing security. This part of the terminal is quite small and provides easy access with only one gate.

The baggage claim conveyor belt is located just through the arrivals doors of the terminal for arriving passengers. They can then go to the ground transportation area for a ride, or get in line at their car rental counter.

Wayfinding signs and friendly airport staff help guide passengers throughout the entire terminal, ensuring a stress-free experience.

Getting Between Terminals

Passengers do not have to choose from among different terminal buildings because Spirit Lake Municipal Airport features only one terminal. The single terminal structure and all airline operations, passenger processing are handled within.

The terminal has a small footprint that allows convenient access to the various areas, including ticketing and baggage claim. Wayfinding signs guide passengers to their destination within the terminal.

Airport personnel can also assist passengers who may require special help to get around the terminal ahead of their flight. In the end, given how basic and minimalistic Spirit Lake Municipal Airport is, it translates to a very efficient terminal.

Services and Amenities

There are several types of services and amenities that the Spirit Lake Municipal Airport provides, which include a few with some basic features.

The terminal consists of:

• Public restrooms
• Vending machines
• Free WiFi internet access
• Charging points - e.g. chargers for your gadgets

For business travelers or those who simply have some work they need to get done on a layover, the airport has a small business center that includes seating and power outlets.

Additionally, there is a rental car desk right in the terminal to easily rent and return your cars.

While the facilities offered are less compared to big airports, Spirit Lake Municipal Airport manages to meet some of those basic services required for an easy traveling experience.

Restaurants and Shops

Spirit Lake Municipal Airport only has minimal dining and retail offerings due to its small size and passenger volume.

A small cafe is located in the terminal building, providing snacks, light meals and drinks. The cafe is the only food and beverage option for ticketed passengers.

When it comes to shops, the airport has no specialized retail stores; just a small gift shop where you can buy some gifts, souvenirs as well as local products and all those necessary for traveling.

For those looking for more options, the city of Spirit Lake is a short drive away and has many restaurants, cafes and shopping outlets.

Security and Customs

Spirit Lake Municipal Airport does not have customs and international arrivals operational capabilities. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) handles all security screening and passenger check-in.

Spirit Lake passengers will go through typical TSA security procedures: screening of carry-on and checked baggage, plus physical passenger screening. Located at the back of the terminal in departures, it has literally one security checkpoint for all passengers.

The airport only handles U.S. domestic flights; the customs and immigration facilities are for international service to Aruba, The Bahamas or Canada (Bahamas Customs services arrivals from Bermuda but that is not a scheduled destination). Passengers automatically deplaning into the baggage claim area and transportation hub.

The security process at Spirit Lake Municipal Airport is overall very efficient and simple, keeping in tune with the scale of this regional airport.

Accessibility

Spirit Lake Municipal Airport strives to ensure an excellent travel experience for all of its passengers, including those with disabilities or special needs.

The terminal building and amenities are built meeting or exceeding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Some of these features are:

• Parking and ramps
• Wheelchair-friendly counters and seating areas
• Elevators and ramps for changing levels
• ADA Restroom stalls and drinking fountains

Please contact your airline prior to arriving at the airport if you need any special assistance (e.g. wheelchair assistance, early boarding etc). In addition, airport staff are there to support passengers find their way through the terminal and by providing services that are required for your flight.

Overall, the Spirit Lake Municipal Airport works to make sure that they are a safe and inclusive destination for all people looking to come in.

Travel Tips

If in your next travel you fly through Spirit Lake Municipal Airport, these tips will be useful to you:

• Book flights way ahead of time - being a relatively small regional airport, you can get stuck with very limited flight options and availability in peak travel seasons. The more in advance you book, the better prices and time schedule of flights available for your trip.
• Don't stress about lines - With a small terminal and simple security screening, Spirit Lake Airport usually offers quicker turn times than hub airports. But still you should plan to arrive 1 hour before your departure time.
• Be prepared to pack light - Since there is no checked bag allowance, travelers should try and limit their packing as much as possible, even skipping a carry-on in an effort to avoid additional fees.
• Walk through the terminal before you travel to find your way around.
• Take advantage of ground transportation - While options are limited, the airport's onsite parking and taxi (United Cab) can offer relatively quick trips to your destination from the terminal.
• Be Travel Plan Ready: Due to its status as a small regional airline, Spirit Lake is typically more affected by weather and operational upsets. This flexibility means that if there are any delays or full cancellations on your flight, the chances of you getting re-accommodated onto a different and timely trip are higher.

Following these tips should help make your journey in and out of Spirit Lake Municipal Airport smooth and stress-free.