Marana Regional Airport , also known as Marana Northwest Regional Airport or Avra Valley Airport, is a non-towered, general aviation airport about northwest of Tucson in Marana, a town in Pima County, Arizona, United States. In 1999, the airport was purchased from Pima County by the town of Marana.
According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2007–2011, it is categorized as a relief airport.FAA National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems: 2007–2011 It is not served by any commercial airlines at this time.
Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, Marana Regional Airport is assigned AVQ by the FAA and AVW by the IATA.Great Circle Mapper: AVW / KAVQ – Tucson, Arizona (Marana Regional Airport)
Facilities Marana Regional Airport covers at an elevation of above mean sea level. AVQ has two asphalt paved runways: 12/30 measuring 3/21 measuring
For the 12-month period ending April 15, 2023, the airport had 90,252 aircraft operations, an average of 247 per day: 66% general aviation, 11% air taxi, and 22% military. At that time there were 193 aircraft based at this airport: 165 single-engine, 10 ultralight, 15 multi-engine, 2 jet, and 1 glider.
History
In 1943 then Marana Auxiliary Army Airfield No. 2 (a.k.a. Rillito Field) was one of five auxiliary fields that served Marana Army Air Field (now Pinal Airpark) and is part of many Arizona World War II Army Airfields. The United States Army Air Forces trained at Marana through World War II and the Korean War in North American T-6 Texan and North American T-28 Trojan aircraft.
The military sold the airport to a private operator. It was renamed Avra Valley Airport, and in 1968 expanded the runway by 1200 feet. By 1972 there were more than 30 civilian aircraft based at the airport. In 1973 Pima County Department of Transportation bought the airport and expanded the runways even more. Further improvements into 1980s included adding a parking lot, terminal building, and offices. Skyrider Cafe opened in 1983.
In 1999 the Town of Marana bought the airport for Pima County and changed the name to Marana Northwest Regional Airport, then in 2002 renamed it to Marana Regional Airport.
According to the Marana Regional Airport 2017 Airport Master Plan, the airport plans to extend the end of runway 3 to , a 50% increase. A timeline for the improvements has not been specified.
Accidents and incidents On April 8, 2000 a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey of the United States Marine Corps crashed during a training exercise at the airport killing all 19 on board. On February 19, 2025, a Cessna 172S collided with a Lancair 360 MK II over the airport. The two occupants on board the Lancair died after the plane hit the ground, while the two people on board the Cessna landed safely on the airport with no injuries.
See also Pinal Airpark Arizona World War II Army Airfields List of airports in Arizona
References
External links Marana Regional Airport at Town of Marana website Marana Northwest Regional Airport (AVQ) at Arizona DOT airport directory
Listen to Live CTAF at Marana Regional Airport on LiveATC.net