Small Airport In Iowa To Become Raceway

After more than 20 years in business, a small airport in western Iowa is closing up shop. Onawa Municipal Airport will become Onawa Racing and Events Complex after the five-hangar airport closes on July 1.

It's a sign of the times, as small cities across the country are closing their local airfields. The number of pilots with private certificates peaked in 1980 and has dropped since then.

Onawa city administrator Bradley Hanson joins Here & Now's Robin Young to discuss why the airport is closing and where the local planes will go.