Airport Master and Contingency Plans

Magic Valley Regional Airport Master Plan Update

Airport Planning Poster Opens in new window

The City of Twin Falls and Twin Falls County is currently updating the Master Plan for the Joslin Field, Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF).

The Magic Valley Regional Airport plays a critical role in the local economy through commercial air operations and as a provider of multiple aviation services, including fire-fighting, cargo shipment, corporate travel and agriculture.

The airport, operated by the City of Twin Falls, through a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is conducting a Master Plan Update that will help identify needs and growth potential, which will in-turn position the airport to receive funding for improvements and enhancements.

“Community input about the airport’s strengths and opportunities for growth is critical in helping to ensure proposed changes reflect the needs and interests of those that are intended to benefit,” said Bill Carberry, Airport Manager. “Our team has organized multiple opportunities beginning last Fall for the public to safely participate in the planning process.”

The first public open house events took place in December 2020, when information boards regarding the master plan were set up in the airport terminal building for viewing and comments. A link to those boards is provided here [link].

The second public open house event took place in June 2021 in Downtown Twin Falls to coincide with the City’s concert series. The focus of this open house was to present and receive comments on potential development alternatives for the airport. A link to those boards is provided here [link].

June 2021 Airport Master Plan Update Boards Opens in new windowThe third and final public open house event took place October 4, 2021 inside the TWF airport terminal building. During this time, the public viewed and commented on display boards depicting preferred development concepts for the airport, the planned implementation timeline of those preferred concepts, and an overview of the financial plan for funding the short- mid- and long-term development projects.

The planning team also prepared a draft Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the Master Plan Update, which consists of a set of technical drawings depicting the future development plans for the airport. A preliminary draft of the ALP was available for review at the public open house on October 4. The ALP set will eventually be submitted to the FAA for approval, which is required in order to receive federal funding for eligible airport development projects.

Ricondo and J-U-B Engineers are managing this process. The public is encouraged to contact Bryant Kuechle with J-U-B (208-376-7330, bkuechle@jub.com) with questions, comments and to request to receive future updates.

Magic Valley Regional Airport Tarmac Delay Plan

Emergency Contingency Plan

Magic Valley Regional Airport has prepared this Emergency Contingency Plan pursuant to §42301 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Questions regarding this plan can be directed to Bill Carberry. Magic Valley Regional Airport is filing this plan with the Department of Transportation because (1) it is a commercial airport or (2) this airport may be used by an air carrier described in USC 42301(a)(1) for diversions.

This plan describes how, following excessive tarmac delays and to the extent practicable, Magic Valley Regional Airport will:

  • Provide for the deplanement of passengers;
  • Provide for the sharing of facilities and make gates available at the airport; and
  • Provide a sterile area following excessive tarmac delays for passengers who have not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Magic Valley Regional Airport has facility constraints that limit our ability to accommodate diverted flights or maintain the airport’s safe operation and strongly encourages aircraft operators to contact the airport at (208) 733-5215 for prior coordination of diverted flights, except in the case of a declared in-flight emergency. Specific facility constraints include the following: limited ramp space along with limited space for aircraft parking at the terminal, one FBO capable of providing fuel that requires a call out between 0300-1330Z, limited airstair availability, our sterile area is limited to approximately 225 people, and we have very limited ability to temporarily accommodate international passenger processing facilities. During diversion events Magic Valley Regional Airport issues NOTAMs regarding its ability to accommodate diverted flights to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport and its ability to serve the civil aviation needs of the public during irregular operations events.

Airport Information

Name of Airport: Magic Valley Regional Airport

Name and title of person preparing the plan: Bill Carberry

Preparer contact number: (208) 733-5215

Preparer contact email:

Date of submission of plan: May 12, 2017

Airport Category: Large Hub * Medium Hub * Small Hub * Non Hub

Contact Information

In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact the Airport Duty Manager at (208) 733-5215 or Airport Operations at (208) 308-7315 for assistance.

Plan to Provide for the Deplanement of Passengers Following Excessive Tarmac Delays

Magic Valley Regional Airport does not operate any of the equipment needed to safely deplane passengers from air carrier aircraft and is, therefore, unable on its own to provide for the deplanement of passengers. Additionally airport personnel are not trained to assist in the deplanement of passengers using equipment owned or operated by air carriers or contract service providers. However, Magic Valley Regional Airport does own a boarding ramp capable of serving the following aircraft: MD80, 737, A319, A320, and 757. We will provide this ramp to the fixed based operator or airline if needed. We will provide a list of airlines, ground handlers, fixed base operators and others who may have the necessary equipment and personnel to safely deplane passengers to airlines as soon as practicable after receiving requests from such airlines experiencing excessive tarmac delays at the contact number listed above.

Plan to Provide for the Sharing of Facilities and Make Gates Available in an Emergency

The gates at Magic Valley Regional Airport are under common use gate leases, or agreements to air carriers and are controlled by the airport. We have a total of three gates available within a sterile area that can accommodate approximately 225 people. We direct our common use air carrier users to make gates and other facilities available to an air carrier seeking to deplane/enplane at a gate to the maximum extent practicable. Magic Valley Regional Airport would direct airlines to our Airport/Facility Directory for guidance on aircraft size limitations.

Plan to Provide a Sterile Area for Passengers Who Have Not Cleared United States Customs and Border Protection

Magic Valley Regional Airport does not have international passenger processing facilities. We have coordinated with regional CBP and law enforcement officials to identify suitable areas and procedures for establishing a temporary sterile area into which international passengers on diverted aircraft who have not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection can be deplaned. Our procedure that will allow international passengers who have not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection to be deplaned into these sterile areas to the extent practicable is the following:

  1. Airport Operations will contact regional CBP in Boise, ID at (208) 334-9062, or (208) 573-4637.
  2. Airport Operations will contact Twin Falls Police Department.
  3. International passengers will be deplaned into our Passenger Hold Room, where they can remain sterile and cannot co-mingle with non-sterile passengers.
  4. Airport Operations will continue to coordinate with Airline, CBP, and TFPD until the situation is resolved.

Public Access to the Emergency Contingency Plan 

Magic Valley Regional Airport will provide public access to its emergency contingency plan by posting it in a conspicuous location on the airport website.

A copy of the Magic Valley Regional Airport's Master Plan is available on the airport website here [link]. For additional information regarding the Airport Master Plan, please contact airport administration.