- What types of aviation activities take place at the airport? (For example: private planes, business travel, training, etc.)
The Hawthorne Municipal Airport is classified as both a General aviation (GA) airport and a Commercial Service airport (charter services). It is also considered a Reliever Airport because it provides alternatives to congested commercial hubs such as LAX Airport by easing traffic for both commercial and general aviation.
Various aviation activities take place at the airport including private flights, recreational flying, flight training, business travel (corporate jets), commercial flights (charter/on demand), law enforcement (Hawthorne PD, LA PD, Sheriff’s Dept., etc.), emergency medical services (medevac), military (US Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, etc.), and aerial surveying (public utilities such as electric and gas companies). The Hawthorne Municipal Airport plays a vital role as a transportation hub in the Southern California area being only approximately 3 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
- How does the airport serve Hawthorne residents and the surrounding community?
The Hawthorne Municipal Airport/Jack Northrop Field (HHR) serves Hawthorne residents and the surrounding community by providing numerous services such as law enforcement (Hawthorne PD, patrols, security, etc.), essential emergency services (air ambulance services and transport of medical supplies and organ transplants), enabling critical aeronautical services like aerial surveying for public utility companies, connecting communities through business and personal travel, supporting the local economy by driving economic growth through job creation and business support, and offering recreational activities. The Hawthorne airport provides an important community resource by offering quicker access than large hub airports and supporting local businesses.
- What would you most like Hawthorne residents to understand about the value of having a municipal airport in their city?
The value of having a municipal airport in our City is the multitude of benefits that our residents and local businesses receive from the airport. The airport boots our local economy, attracts new businesses and investments, promotes job creation, and facilitates and maximizes accessibility.
The airport serves Hawthorne residents and the surrounding community by providing numerous services such as law enforcement (Hawthorne PD, patrols, security, etc.), essential emergency services (air ambulance services and transport of medical supplies and organ transplants), enabling critical aeronautical services like aerial surveying for public utility companies, connecting communities through business and personal travel, supporting the local economy by driving economic growth through job creation and business support, and offering recreational activities.
The Hawthorne airport is truly a key and vital community resource that promotes transportation, offers quicker access than large hub airports, supports local businesses, and provides needed law enforcement, emergency, and logistical support services.
- How does the City ensure the airport operates safely and remains a good neighbor to the community?
The City ensures that the airport operates safety by adhering to all FAA rules regarding airport operations and procedures. The Air Traffic Control Tower is operated by FAA approved air traffic controllers to ensure the safety of aircraft traffic. City Airport staff maintains the runway and taxiways and conducts daily inspections to maintain the safety of the aircraft movement areas. We perform regular lighting inspections to verify that all airport lighting is working properly for the safety of air traffic. Additionally, City staff works closely with the FAA to make sure that all airport capital improvement projects comply with FAA aviation safety regulations. Caltrans Aeronautics also conducts annual inspections of the airport to verify compliance with all aviation safety rules.
- Overview and history of the Hawthorne Municipal Airport
The Hawthorne Municipal Airport opened on June 19, 1942.
The airport was maintained and operated by Northrop Aircraft until February 13, 1948 when the City of Hawthorne took over those responsibilities with Northrop leasing 13.9 acres on the south side to maintain access from its facilities to the airfield.
In October 1961 a new FAA air traffic control tower began operation at the airport. The administration/terminal building was dedicated on April 2, 1966. The city also constructed and began operating a fueling facility on the north side of the airport in 1967 until awarding the lease to a fixed base operator in 1980.
In December 2004, the City of Hawthorne entered into a 45-year lease with Hawthorne Airport LLC (HA LLC) to operate the non-runway portions of the airport. HA LLC was responsible for passenger and fueling services. In November 2025 Archer Aviation took over the Master Lease from HA LLC.
City airport staff is responsible for the maintenance of the runway, taxiways, Air Traffic Control Tower, perimeter fence, entrance gates, and general safety and security.
The Hawthorne Municipal Airport / Jack Northrop Field (HHR) plays the role of being a key transportation hub among southern California airports.
