Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS
Some links support JeTTreks at no cost to you. Thanks for being here.
Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS (FAA LID: IDP, IATA: IDP, ICAO: KIDP) is a non-towered, public airport located 6 miles SW of Independence in Montgomery County, Kansas. If you fly in here, you will think I’m crazy because there is quite obviously a tower at this field. However, it has been closed for quite some time due to funding.
There are two runways as follows:
| Direction | Length in ft. | Length in Meters | Surface |
| 04/22 | 3,402 x 60 | 1,037 x 18 | Asphalt |
| 17/35 | 5,501 x 100 | 1,677 x 30 | Asphalt |
FBOs & Services
The FBO is operated by the City of Independence. Phone: 620‑332‑2531
AV Gas is available 24/7 at the self-serve pump, and someone is on duty Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Jet A. They have minor airframe and major powerplants service and tiedowns for parking.
Transportation
A crew car is available through the airport, and Enterprise provides rental car service for travelers needing longer trips. Additionally, Carla Car Rental is available for regional comparisons. While Independence doesn’t have a dedicated taxi stand, Uber and Lyft both operate in the area, though availability may vary depending on the time of day.
There is no active local-based taxi in Independence. However, regional taxi services do serve Independence, and they can be called for pre‑arranged rides.
Places To Stay Near Independence Municipal Airport
As close as I could tell, there are about 6 or 7 hotels here. As I didn’t stay the night, I have no recommendations except that the closest to the airport seems to be the Kansas Inn. Try Expedia.com to explore amenities and prices.
Dining
Best burger with a beer place? Stoney’s Grub and Pub has great reviews for burgers, homemade onion rings, cold beer, and slabs of ribs. Hailed as a hidden gem for southern food is the Fish and Chip Diner. Uncle Jack’s Bar and Grill is right downtown if you’re looking for lunch or dinner.
My family reunion pre-ordered Mexican food from El Pueblitos, and I do mean loads of it. It was hot, good, and no one left hungry.
Things To Do Nearby
Independence offers a mix of history, outdoor spaces, and seasonal events, starting with the Little House on the Prairie Museum, where travelers can explore a recreated 1870s cabin tied to Laura Ingalls Wilder. Just a few minutes away, the Independence Historical Museum & Art Center adds depth with local‑history exhibits and restored historic buildings, while Riverside Park and the Ralph Mitchell Zoo provide an easy outdoor stop with walking paths and family‑friendly attractions. For more scenery, Elk City State Park delivers lakeside views and short trails west of town.
Each fall, Independence hosts its signature event: the Neewollah Festival, the largest annual festival in Kansas. Created as a playful reversal of “Halloween” (Neewollah is literally Halloween spelled backward), the celebration began in 1919 as a way to replace rowdy Halloween pranks with community‑friendly activities. Today, it has grown into a full week of parades, concerts, food booths, a carnival, a queen’s pageant, and a citywide arts atmosphere that draws visitors from across the region.
Annually, the city also welcomes the Kansas Airstrip Attack, a high‑energy, half-mile runway drag racing event that draws pilots, drivers, and spectators from across the region.
History
This airport was once the site of a WWII training base. At the time, it was known as Independence Army Airfield under the U.S. Army Air Forces’ Second Air Force, which oversaw pilot training during the war. They trained in BT-14s, Vultee BT-13s, and Valiants from 1942 to 1945.
In 1944, Cessna UC-78s and AT-6 Texans were added to the lineup when nearby Coffeyville Army Airfield ended its training program. This base was later used as storage for numerous types of military aircraft. There is still a classic example of WWII architecture on the field.
Why Fly Here
SW Kansas might not be the hotspot of adventure you signed up for when working or playing in the general aviation field; however, there are more aviation people in the central corridor of this country than anywhere else—friendly, good people who would help anyone in need. So, if you find yourself in the neighborhood and need fuel, this is a great place to land.
If you have a suggestion for where we should go next, or have a favorite small airport you’d like us to check out, please let us know. Send you suggestions to jettreks.com. We do not sell or share your info.
Safe flights and happy landings,
Jo@jettreks.com
Follow JeTTreks
You can see all available JeTTreks researched airports here.