Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport is the primary commercial service airport serving Amarillo, Texas, and the surrounding Texas Panhandle region. It is named after Colonel Rick Husband, a native of Amarillo who commanded the Space Shuttle Columbia on its final mission in 2003. The airport handles both commercial passenger flights and significant general aviation and cargo operations, reflecting the economic activity of the agricultural and energy-rich Panhandle region. It sits at an elevation of approximately 3,607 feet above sea level on the high plains of the Texas Panhandle. AMA serves as an important regional hub connecting the Panhandle to major airline hubs including Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, and Phoenix, providing residents access to nationwide destinations through connecting flights.