[1] XNA's operations benefit significantly from its proximity to the headquarters of major corporations, including Walmart in Bentonville, Tyson Foods in Springdale, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services in Lowell.

XNA is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023, in which it is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility.

Prior to XNA, Drake Field in Fayetteville was the primary airport, but its operational limitations prompted the search for a more capable facility.

Under her leadership, the Council initiated efforts that led to the creation of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Authority, which included representatives from Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Springdale, and Benton and Washington counties.

The new facility, east of the upper concourse, has allowed the airport to increase its number of airplane parking positions from twelve to twenty.

The enhanced height and modern features of the new tower will enable XNA to better handle increasing air traffic volumes as the region continues to grow.

At present, excluding Robinson Maneuver Training Center and Little Rock Air Force Base, two military facilities, XNA is the largest commercial/public/general aviation airport in terms of land area (2,680 acres, 4.2 sq.mi.)

[1][9] The original runway built in 1998 required complete reconstruction in 2011, following the discovery of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in its Portland cement concrete.

Once completed, the road will provide a much-needed connection to the airport, improving travel times and accessibility for passengers and businesses in the region.

This project is expected to greatly improve safety, reducing the number of accidents caused by heavy traffic on narrow, rural routes leading to the airport.

[1][11] In the year ending June 30, 2023, the airport had 46,510 aircraft operations, average 127 per day: 49% airline, 12% air taxi, 25% military, and 14% general aviation.