Flying From CXO? A Complete Guide to Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport: The

In case you need a major regional airport in Texas that blends the past, present, and future, the Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO), now known as the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, is the one to be familiar with. This airport is situated in Conroe, Texas, only 37 miles north of downtown Houston, and has developed over time since World War II into an important general aviation, business jet, and even international arrival hub.

Key Facts About Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (CXO)

• IATA/FAA LID Code: CXO / KCXO

• Location: Conroe, Texas, United States (approximately 37 miles north of Downtown Houston)

• Ownership: Publicly owned and operated by Montgomery County.

• Services: A regional general aviation center that accommodates corporate jets, personal aircraft, air taxi flights, and military operations. The U.S. Customs allows direct international private arrivals.

• Runways: Two concrete runways, Runway 14/32 (7,501 x 150 ft) and Runway 1/19 (5,000 x 100 ft).

• Elevation: 245 ft (75 meters) above mean sea level.

• Rating: 4.2 stars based on 49 reviews on Google Business Profile.

Distance of CXO to Major Airports in Houston

The following table displays the distance and the estimated drive time of the main airports in the region to the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (CXO):

(Source - Google Maps)

A Brief History of CXO

The airport was initially constructed in the period of World War II as a military base. Its conversion to civilian use began in the year 1945 after the war, and it has since that time served the aviation fraternity. It has been referred to as Montgomery County Airport, Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, and currently, it is referred to as Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (CXO).

Runways and Operations

The airport has two runways with a total area of 1,346 acres.

• Runway 14/32: 7,501 feet long and 150 feet wide.

• Runway 1/19: 5,000 feet in length and 100 feet in width.

The airport is highly dynamic, with more than 119,000 aircraft operations in 2023 or 327 flights daily on average. The majority of them are general aviation flights, some air taxi, and a few military operations.

CXO also has over 229 aircraft, which comprise single-engine, multi-engine jets, helicopters, and gliders, as well as military aircraft.

To the travelers and pilots, the airport has two full-service Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs):

• Galaxy FBO

• General Aviation Jet Center

These offer fuel, hangars, lounges, and other amenities that ensure the inbound and outbound flights in CXO are easy and comfortable.

Facilities And Terminal Services

• General Aviation Terminal Building: This airport has a general and business aviation terminal building where the services are normally offered by Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs).

• Hours of Operation: The FBO service or terminal operates during standard business hours, for example, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., weekdays, and is closed on weekends.

• U.S. Customs: There is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station that allows international general aviation and private/corporate flight passengers to be processed.  It is not intended for regularly scheduled commercial airline service.

• Two Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs): As is typical with executive airports, there are two FBOs in the terminal that provide services to private and corporate aviation. These are aircraft fueling, aircraft maintenance, and hangar space.

International and Military Presence

The airport has featured a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection station since 2016, which enables the airport to accept international flights without stopping in Houston first. The airport is also the base of the United States Army Reserve. This is home to the 1st Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, which further enhances the strategic significance of the airport.

Significant Events and Incidents

Similar to other long-established airports, CXO has experienced its fair share of accidents. Since a tragic airshow accident in 1988, aircraft fires in the 1990s, and a runway slide after heavy rains in 2014, the airport has risen to the occasion, and it has only been getting better since. It is a safe and modern facility that serves the region today.

Why CXO Matters

The Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (CXO) is not merely a regional airport. It is:

• A business aviation gateway in the rapidly expanding North Houston region.

• A general aviation pilot hub and a hub of private aircraft owners.

• An airport that has an international arrival facility with on-site customs.

• An airport that has an excellent military and community presence.

Pilot, business traveler, or simply interested in the aviation industry, CXO is significant in linking Conroe and North Houston to the world.

Final Thoughts

Since its inception during the World War II period to its current status as a modern aviation hub, Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (CXO,) still fondly remembered as Lone Star Executive Airport, it remains an important aviation connection in Texas. It is a hidden treasure to the travelers and businesses in the Houston area with its powerful facilities, customs services, and daily operations.

(Source - Wekipedia)