Lubbock Preston Smith International (KLBB), Texas
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (KLBB) sits in the South Plains region of West Texas, roughly 45 nautical miles from the nearest major metro area. The airport is towered and operates on an ALL / ALL / ALL attendance schedule, with a three-runway paved layout topped by an 11,500-foot primary runway. Onsite CBP inspection services and a USDA compliance agreement support international arrivals, and Jet A along with 100LL and A1+ fuel grades are available. Business aviation accounted for 15,900 of the airport's 39,082 total operations in 2025, according to FAA TFMSC data.
Runways
Lubbock Preston Smith International has three paved runways. The longest, 17R/35L, is 11,500 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Lubbock Preston Smith International has Jet A, Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Lubbock Preston Smith International 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
Lubbock Preston Smith International recorded 15,900 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October and November. Business aviation traffic at KLBB concentrates in October and November, which recorded the two highest monthly operation counts of the year according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month November, 1,677 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Lubbock Preston Smith International averages 24.6 days above 90°F in July, 24.2 freeze days in January and 0.6 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 93.4°F, and January the coldest, at 55.0°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Lubbock Preston Smith International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Access to the passenger terminal ramp is restricted to air carriers and other operators with prior permission.
Runway 17L/35R is restricted to general aviation aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less.
Taxiways B and D, and taxi-lanes E and E1, are restricted to aircraft weighing less than 50,000 pounds.
The east ramp delineated taxi-lane and apron area is restricted to 120,000 pounds for dual tandem gear aircraft, 89,000 pounds for dual single-wheel gear aircraft, and 60,000 pounds for single-wheel gear aircraft. All other east ramp pavements are restricted to aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds, single-wheel gear.
Taxiway L between Taxiway F and Taxiway J is closed to aircraft weighing more than 120,001 pounds.
Runway 17L/35R is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 30 passenger seats.
Runway 17L/35R, Taxiways B and D, and taxi-lanes E and E1 are not available for air carrier aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats.
Personnel and equipment working adjacent to Runways 08/26 and 17R/35L.
Numerous birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 1073/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 965/R/B/W/T
Taxiways B and D, and taxi-lanes E and E1, are not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 30 passenger seats.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Lubbock Preston Smith International has five airfields within 19 NM. The closest is Lubbock Executive Airpark, 10.81 NM south.
Part of the North Texas and the Panhandle area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KLBB
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.
$2,400.00 catering order at KLBB.
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
Does KLBB have customs available for international arrivals?
Yes, Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport has onsite CBP inspection services along with a USDA compliance agreement. Crews do not need to divert to a nearby port of entry for clearance. This makes KLBB a workable option for international business aviation arrivals in the South Plains region. Dispatchers should still confirm CBP officer availability in advance, since attendance details for the inspection team are separate from the airport's own ATC tower schedule. The airport is towered and staffed on an ALL / ALL / ALL basis.
What is the longest runway at KLBB and what is its weight-bearing capacity?
Runway 17R/35L at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport is the longest, measuring 11,500 feet by 150 feet on a concrete surface. Published PCR values for the field include 1073/R / B/W / T and 965/R / B/W / T, reflecting the pavement classification for the primary runway system. This runway carries the airport's maximum paved length figure of 11,500 feet. Runway 08/26 is the secondary paved runway at 8,003 feet by 150 feet, also concrete. Both support a wide range of business and commercial aircraft types.
Can heavy business jets use Runway 17L/35R at KLBB?
No, Runway 17L/35R at KLBB is restricted to general aviation aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or less. At 2,891 feet by 74 feet with an asphalt surface, it is also the shortest and narrowest of the airport's three runways. It is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 scheduled passenger operations carrying more than 9 passenger seats, nor for non-scheduled operations exceeding 30 passenger seats. Aircraft with more than 9 passenger seats generally are not permitted on this runway. Operators flying larger aircraft should plan on Runway 17R/35L or 08/26 instead.
Are there weight restrictions on taxiways at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport?
Yes, several taxiway segments at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport carry specific weight limits. Taxiways B and D, along with taxi-lanes E and E1, are restricted to aircraft weighing less than 50,000 pounds. Taxiway L between Taxiway F and Taxiway J is closed to aircraft over 120,001 pounds. The east ramp taxi-lane and apron area has tiered limits: 120,000 pounds for dual tandem gear, 89,000 pounds for dual single-wheel gear, and 60,000 pounds for single-wheel gear aircraft. Operators of larger aircraft should confirm routing with ground control before taxiing at KLBB.
When is business aviation traffic highest at KLBB?
Business aviation traffic at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport peaks in October and November, according to FAA TFMSC data. Those two months recorded 1,674 and 1,677 operations respectively, noticeably above the monthly average seen through the rest of the year. Earlier months such as June and July, by contrast, saw totals closer to 1,150 to 1,200 operations. The airport's overall annual business aviation total for 2025 was 15,900 operations out of 39,082 total operations. Dispatchers planning fall trips into KLBB should expect a busier ramp environment during this stretch.