Lewiston Airport Ownership Options Discussed at Upcoming Meeting

City council and county commission to explore changes to airport governance and funding.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:05am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty airport terminal, with a few solitary passengers waiting in the shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the changing dynamics of regional air travel.The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport faces an uncertain future as local leaders explore options to address the unequal financial burden on city residents.Lewiston Today

The city of Lewiston and Nez Perce County, which jointly own the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport, will meet on April 14 to discuss potential changes to the airport's ownership structure. The meeting will explore options to address the unequal financial burden the city faces as both a city and county taxpayer supporting the airport's operations.

Why it matters

The airport is a critical transportation hub for the region, providing direct flights to Seattle and Salt Lake City. However, the current joint ownership model has led to an imbalance, with Lewiston residents paying more in taxes to support the airport than county residents. Addressing this disparity could help ensure the airport's long-term sustainability.

The details

The Lewiston City Council and Nez Perce County Commission will meet on April 14 to discuss potential changes to the ownership structure of the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport. The airport is currently owned by both the city and county, with each entity contributing funding for its operations. However, Lewiston residents pay property taxes in both jurisdictions, leading to a higher financial burden for the city. In recent fiscal years, Lewiston has provided between $330,000 and $351,000 to the airport, while the county has contributed around $560,000, including funds for capital projects.

  • The meeting will take place at 3:30 p.m. on April 14, 2026.
  • In fiscal year 2024, Lewiston gave the airport $351,115, while Nez Perce County provided $561,636.
  • In fiscal year 2025, Lewiston provided $0 and the county provided the same amounts as Lewiston in fiscal years 2024 and 2026.
  • In fiscal year 2026, Lewiston gave the airport $330,490, and the county provided the same amounts as Lewiston in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

The players

Lewiston City Council

The governing body of the city of Lewiston, Idaho, which jointly owns the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport with Nez Perce County.

Nez Perce County Commission

The governing body of Nez Perce County, Idaho, which jointly owns the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport with the city of Lewiston.

John Spickelmire

A Lewiston City Councilor who initiated the discussion about the airport's ownership structure.

Dan Johnson

The Mayor of Lewiston, Idaho.

Patty Weeks

The Nez Perce County Auditor.

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What they’re saying

“Lewiston residents carry more of the financial burden for the airport because they pay property taxes in both jurisdictions.”

— John Spickelmire, Lewiston City Councilor

What’s next

The city council and county commission will discuss potential changes to the airport's ownership structure and funding model at the April 14 meeting, with the goal of addressing the financial imbalance faced by Lewiston residents.

The takeaway

The upcoming meeting on the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport's ownership structure highlights the challenges of jointly managing critical infrastructure, especially when the financial burden is not evenly distributed across the stakeholders. Finding a more equitable solution could help ensure the airport's long-term viability and better serve the regional community.