Honestly, if you find yourself driving through the rolling hills of Coventry, Vermont, you might not even realize you’re passing an "international" gateway. It doesn't look like JFK. There are no sprawling terminals or $18 sandwiches. But Northeast Kingdom International Airport (often just called EFK by pilots) is one of those places where the reality is way more interesting than the quiet tarmac suggests.
It’s basically a high-altitude lifeline for one of the most rugged, beautiful, and—let’s be real—economically isolated parts of New England.
What’s the Deal with the Name?
For decades, people knew this spot as Newport State Airport. It was a local strip, useful but unassuming. Then, around 2015, it got a major rebrand. They didn't just change the sign; they lengthened the main runway to 5,301 feet.
Why does that specific number matter? Because 5,000 feet is the magic threshold. It’s the length you need to safely land most corporate jets. Suddenly, the "Kingdom" wasn't just accessible by muddy backroads; it was accessible by CEOs and private charters from Montreal, New York, and beyond.
The "International" tag isn't just for show, either. Since it’s sitting right near the Canadian border, it has U.S. Customs and Border Protection services. If you’re flying in from Quebec, you can actually clear customs right here in the middle of a Vermont field. It's kinda wild when you think about it.
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The Shadow of the EB-5 Scandal
You can't talk about Northeast Kingdom International Airport without acknowledging the elephant in the room. Or rather, the "Kingdom Con."
Back in the mid-2010s, there was this massive plan to turn the Newport area into a global hub. We’re talking a $110 million biomedical research center, a shiny new terminal, and even an aircraft assembly plant. It was all funded through the EB-5 visa program, which basically gives green cards to foreign investors who put money into job-creating projects.
Most of that never happened.
Ariel Quiros and Bill Stenger, the guys behind the curtain, were eventually caught in a massive "Ponzi-like" fraud scheme. The money meant for the airport's grand terminal and the biotech park? It vanished into personal accounts and other projects. While the runway expansion actually got finished, the grand vision for a bustling international commercial hub stalled out hard. For a long time, the "International" part of the name felt like a punchline to a very expensive joke.
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What’s Actually There Now?
If you land at EFK today, you aren't going to find a Duty-Free shop. What you will find is a very well-maintained facility run by Lakeview Aviation.
The airport has two runways:
- Runway 18/36: The big one. 5,301 feet of smooth asphalt with a precision-ish approach.
- Runway 5/23: The "crosswind" runway. It’s shorter (about 3,996 feet) and, to be frank, the pavement has seen better days. It's listed in "fair" condition, which is pilot-speak for "watch out for the cracks."
It’s a quiet place, but it’s busy in its own way. You’ll see flight students from Green Mountain Flight Training practicing touch-and-goes. You’ll see private pilots stopping for 100LL fuel because the prices are often better than at the bigger hubs. It’s a community.
Why You Should Care (Even if You Don't Fly)
Northeast Kingdom International Airport is the primary gateway for Jay Peak Resort. When the snow is dumping and the "Jay Cloud" is doing its thing, the wealthy skiers aren't driving up I-91 from Connecticut. They’re landing here.
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That brings money into a region that desperately needs it. Every jet that lands pays landing fees, buys fuel, and usually rents a car or hires a local driver. It’s a weird mix of high-net-worth travel and "Old Vermont" grit.
Recent Wins and 2026 Outlook
Things are finally looking up after the scandal years. As of early 2025 and moving into 2026, the state has been pouring money back into the infrastructure. We're talking over $1.5 million for a new terminal building.
The old "administration building" was basically a relic from the 50s. The new project, funded in part by Northern Border Regional Commission grants, is finally giving the airport a "front door" that doesn't look like a basement office.
Actionable Takeaways for Travelers and Pilots
If you’re planning to use or visit the airport, here’s the ground truth:
- Check the AWOS: The weather in the Kingdom is notoriously fickle. Call 802-334-4427 for the automated weather or tune into 118.275.
- Customs is On-Call: Don't just show up from Canada and expect a greeting. You need to coordinate with CBP in advance if you want to use the international landing rights.
- Rental Cars are Limited: This isn't Hertz at Burlington. If you need a car, you better call Lakeview Aviation (802-334-5001) days in advance to make sure something is actually sitting on the ramp for you.
- Winter is Serious: They are great at plowing, but this is a "Cold Temperature Airport." If it's below -32°C (which happens more than you'd think), pilots need to apply altitude corrections.
Final Thoughts
The Northeast Kingdom International Airport isn't the failed dream the headlines suggested back in 2016. It’s a functional, essential piece of Vermont infrastructure that survived a scandal and came out the other side as a premier general aviation destination. It's the best way to get to the most remote corner of the state, and with the new terminal projects finally hitting the ground, it’s finally starting to live up to that "International" name.
To get the most out of your trip to the NEK, always call the FBO directly before wheels up to check current ramp conditions and hangar availability, especially during the peak ski season when space gets tight.