Lakehurst Maxfield Field (KNEL), New Jersey
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Lakehurst Maxfield Field (KNEL) is a towered military-affiliated airport in Lakehurst, New Jersey, operating as a tenant field within Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and sitting roughly 39 nautical miles from the New York metro area. The field recorded 819 total annual operations in 2025 per FAA TFMSC data, with 130 attributed to business aviation. Two paved asphalt runways serve most traffic, Runway 06/24 at 5,002 feet and Runway 15/33 at 5,001 feet, alongside a shorter 3,500-foot concrete runway. Access carries military-pattern restrictions, including prior permission requirements for transient aircraft and closure of Runway 15/33 to non-local traffic.
Runways
Lakehurst Maxfield Field has three paved runways. The longest, 06/24, is 5,002 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Lakehurst Maxfield Field has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Lakehurst Maxfield Field recorded 130 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July. Business aviation traffic at KNEL is concentrated in summer and early fall months, with July and September showing the highest activity of the year according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 22 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Lakehurst Maxfield Field averages 8.8 days above 90°F in July and 25.1 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85.5°F, and January the coldest, at 41.6°F.
Weather station is 8.1 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Lakehurst Maxfield Field has published operating constraints in four categories: access, runway notes, environmental and other notes.
Pilot-controlled lighting on frequency 127.775: key the mic 3 times for low intensity runway lights, 5 times for medium intensity runway lights, and 7 times for high intensity runway lights. The MALSR approach lighting system activates on the same key codes.
A 12,000-foot test facility runway located 2 nautical miles west of the airport is closed to transient traffic without prior permission and a previous facility briefing.
Restricted: prior permission required for all transient aircraft. Contact the field operations office in advance.
When the airport traffic control tower is closed, contact McGuire Approach for clearance delivery.
Runway 15/33 is closed to transient aircraft.
Caution: helicopter pad Spot 2 is not illuminated. Obstruction lights are inoperative at Hangar 5 and Hangar 6, southeast of Helo Spot 2, and on airfield wind cones for Runways 06 and 15/33. No VFR signage exists at the intersection of Runways 15/33 and 06/24, and no airfield signage exists at Helo Spots 1, 2, and 3. Aircrews are required to follow taxi instructions from tower air traffic management. Trees are present within 3,000 feet east of the approach to Runway 06/24 and Runway 15/33, and unlighted obstructions and trees penetrate the 40:1 approach surface at the approach end of all runways.
During BASH Phase II, one-time departure and arrival authorization is granted within plus or minus 1 hour of sunrise and sunset under real-time bird watch condition assessment. Real-time bird watch condition can only be determined when field conditions are at least 3,000 feet ceiling and 5 statute miles visibility, and the tower can visually confirm the condition is less than severe. Takeoffs and landings are not authorized unless approved by 305 OG/CC for 305 AMW, 514 AMW, and USAF transient aircraft, or by the operations group commander service equivalent for tenant units. Alfa alert aircraft are exempt from this requirement; waivers are coordinated through the command post.
Traffic pattern: right traffic for Runway 15 and Runway 24.
The first 150 feet of Runway 06/24 is concrete, with the remaining 4,700 feet asphalt. 180-degree turns are restricted to the concrete portions of the runways only. Runway 06/24 has a 150-foot wide by 180-foot long concrete pad installed at the threshold for C-17 operations.
Runway 15/33 is for use by locally assigned aircraft during emergencies or operational necessity only.
Caution: numerous horizontal cracks, 5 inches wide and 5 inches deep, starting 50 feet inboard from either side of the runway edge.
Activate the Runway 06/24 pilot-controlled lighting on 127.775 when operating in accordance with the UAO memorandum of understanding.
Caution: bird and wildlife hazard. Anticipate concentrations of waterfowl, seagulls, and small birds below 3,000 feet. NAVAIR EPIC tower communications are strictly advisory in nature; information provided does not constitute ATC instructions.
A rotating beacon serves as the lighted airport identifier, located on a bearing of 110 degrees, 2 nautical miles from the airport.
Fuel is available from 1230 to 2330 Zulu and later. Jet A is available with fuel additives.
Transient aircraft servicing is available from 1230 to 2330 Zulu and later, Monday through Friday. Parking is advised on the Navy or Army line.
Weather observer only; ASOS is available.
The alternate landing zone is grooved.
For customs support, contact McGuire Field ATOC at least 24 hours prior to a scheduled aircraft arrival.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Lakehurst Maxfield Field has five airfields within 16 NM. The closest is Ocean County (KMJX), 7.07 NM south.
Part of the Philadelphia area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KNEL
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.
$1,200.00 catering order at KNEL.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the customs process at KNEL?
Lakehurst Maxfield Field (KNEL) has CBP inspection services available onsite along with a USDA compliance agreement. Operators should contact McGuire Field ATOC well in advance of a scheduled arrival to arrange customs support, since this is not a walk-up service. Coordination through the joint base structure is required given KNEL's tenant relationship with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Can transient aircraft use both runways at KNEL?
No. At Lakehurst Maxfield Field, Runway 15/33 is closed to transient traffic and is reserved for locally assigned aircraft during emergencies or operational necessity only. Transient operators are directed to Runway 06/24, which is 5,002 feet long and 150 feet wide. Prior permission is required for all transient aircraft operations at the field.
Is fuel available at KNEL?
Jet A with fuel additives is listed as available at Lakehurst Maxfield Field on a limited daily schedule tied to specific Zulu hours, roughly matching weekday attendance. This service pattern reflects the field's military support role rather than a continuous civilian FBO operation. Transient aircraft should plan fuel needs around this restricted window rather than assuming round-the-clock access.
When is business aviation traffic highest at KNEL?
Business aviation activity at Lakehurst Maxfield Field is concentrated in a handful of months rather than spread evenly through the year. July recorded 22 operations and September 19, according to FAA TFMSC data, well above the quieter months of June and October. Dispatchers planning around KNEL should expect this uneven monthly distribution rather than steady year-round demand.