Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport (KNQX), Florida
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Key West NAS (Boca Chica Field), identified as KNQX, is a towered military airfield in the Florida Keys operating under private use. Business aviation traffic here is low volume, and several operational functions are shared with the adjacent civil field, Key West International.
Runways
Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport has three paved runways. The longest, 08/26, is 10,001 ft long and 200 ft wide, with a bituminous surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport has J5 available on the field. The airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Key West International (KEYW), 4 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport recorded 69 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in January. Business aviation traffic at KNQX is concentrated in January, which recorded far more operations than any other month in 2025.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month January, 28 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport averages 23.5 days above 90°F in August. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 89.9°F, and January the coldest, at 75.3°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, environmental and other notes.
Customs, agriculture, and immigration services are available 1200-2000Z+ Monday through Saturday, with prior coordination. Aircraft requiring inspections must annotate this on the PPR and notify Navy approach control when in radio contact, providing an updated ETA and requesting customs coordination; failure to do so may cause delays given limited customs resources.
Restricted: prior permission required, contact Air Terminal by fax.
Restricted: PPR is valid for plus or minus one hour of the proposed ETA. If outside the ETA slot, contact Air Terminal to update the PPR.
Miscellaneous: fighter aircraft operations occur daily Monday through Saturday, 0800-1700. Transient aircraft practice approaches are conducted on a not to interfere basis. PPR is required for helicopter landing at Trumbo Point; contact Base Operations prior to ETA.
Miscellaneous: every Thursday, all approaches prior to 1030 local will be conducted in accordance with IFR procedures.
Traffic pattern: reduced runway separation standards are in effect for USN/USMC aircraft.
Arresting gear: all E-28(B) short field arresting gear units are in the raised position, except the short field arresting gear on the duty runway, which is derigged.
Caution: on runway 04/22, a 7-foot obstacle stands 87 feet west of centerline. A fresnel lens optical landing system is in place. There is a departure end restriction 758 feet from the approach end of runway 04. Only C-130 (32-foot wingspan) type aircraft or smaller may operate for landing and takeoff. All aircraft may taxi down runway 22 until the departure end arresting gear.
Caution: unlighted ramp parallel to taxiway I. R2916 tethered aerostat radar system operations continue up to 14,000 feet. Key West NAS and Key West International have adjacent Class D airspace, with civil traffic in the southwest and northwest sectors of Key West NAS Class D. Bird hazard present. Unmarked, unlighted taxiway obstruction.
Lighting is available during operating hours.
Fuel is available 1100-0400Z+ Monday through Saturday, and 1400-0000Z+ on Sunday.
JASU: (NC-10) (MSU-200).
Restricted: the unlighted ramp parallel to taxiway L.
Hazardous cargo, transient ramp, and fighter ramp are labeled areas.
The hot cargo pad is unlit and for day use only.
Search and rescue service is available Saturday and Sunday only, with prior coordination and scheduling through ASP by Friday before 1300Z+.
Transient alert: expect service delays with no priority basis. Limited maintenance is available 1200-2100Z+ Monday through Friday. Transient aircraft requiring fuel are provided qualified personnel. Fleet service, potable water, and base transportation are not available. Closed on federal holidays.
Restricted: civil aircraft landing permit information is available from the Airport Manager.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Key West NAS (boca Chica Fld) Airport has two airfields within 36 NM. The closest is Key West International (KEYW), 4.15 NM west.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KNQX
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$600.00 catering order at KNQX.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
The $75 minimum applies below $862.50.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jet A available at KNQX?
KNQX (Key West NAS, Boca Chica Field) does not stock Jet A. The field carries J5 fuel only, available per the posted attendance schedule, so operators requiring Jet A should plan an alternate fuel stop.
How does customs clearance work at Key West NAS?
Customs is not handled onsite at KNQX. The nearest customs facility is KEYW, about 4.15 nm away; customs support at Boca Chica itself is limited to set hours with prior coordination and PPR notification through Navy approach.
What is the longest runway available at KNQX?
The longest runway at Key West NAS (KNQX) is 08/26, a paved surface measuring 10,001 feet by 200 feet. Two additional paved runways, 04/22 and 14/32, run roughly 7,000 feet each.