en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission approved a $520 million five-year plan on May 13, 2026, to improve the state's airport network. The comprehensive plan funds 176 infrastructure development projects, including 99 specific growth-promoting projects.
The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) Airport Construction Program (ACP) will run from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2031, integrating federal, state, and local funding to accelerate aviation business growth and enhance statewide safety measures. The strategy targets infrastructure needs, aiming to attract new commercial investment, transform airports into stronger economic drivers for local communities, and ensure aviation facilities support the state's transportation demands.
ODAA Executive Director Grayson Ardies stated that the plan reflects Oklahoma's bold, growth-oriented vision and continues the state's leap into the global aerospace economy. The state is not just maintaining runways but building a world-class network capable of supporting next-generation commercial aircraft and pioneering aerospace industry operations, driving the state's economy for decades to come.
Among major hangar projects, the Oklahoma Infinity One Spaceport (formerly Clinton-Sherman Airport) will provide facilities to bring New Zealand's Dawn Aerospace and its suborbital flight program to Oklahoma. The colocation agreement includes a hangar, office building, and supporting facilities to enable Dawn's engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to ensure safe flight operations and rapid mission turnaround. The state allocated $7.5 million for the project, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Tulsa International Airport will build an MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) hangar large enough to accommodate a Boeing 767-sized widebody commercial aircraft, which exceeds 200 feet in length with a wingspan of 156 feet. Tulsa Airport will invest $9 million, with ODAA contributing $6 million, for this $15 million project. Design is planned for 2027, with construction to follow immediately.
Chickasha Municipal Airport will construct 12,000-square-foot and 10,000-square-foot hangars as part of an ODAA-led initiative to increase airport revenue-generating storage space and promote aviation business growth. The Statewide Hangar Grant Program, created in 2022, aims to address the ongoing shortage of hangar space across the state. This nearly $2.9 million project is funded by approximately $723,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nearly $1.3 million from ODAA, and just over $850,000 from the City of Chickasha. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026.
In terminal construction, Ponca City Regional Airport will replace its outdated terminal with a new building to accommodate waiting passengers, pilots, and other visitors. The new terminal will be relocated west of the existing building to allow for apron construction. The FAA will provide a $9.4 million grant to fund most of this nearly $13 million project; ODAA will contribute $1 million; and Ponca City will cover the remaining $2.4 million. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Watonga Municipal Airport will build a new terminal to replace its aging facility and promote development on the airport's newly opened west side. The new terminal will offer a 24-hour accessible pilot lounge, professional office space, and a conference room. As part of the overall west side development, Watonga Airport will also construct a new taxiway, apron, and entrance road, and install new utilities. The current terminal, road, and utilities phase is expected to cost $3.5 million, funded by state appropriations. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport will build a new terminal and expand the apron to replace its smaller terminal, originally constructed in 2001 as part of an aircraft hangar. The new 7,000-square-foot terminal will double in size, including a passenger waiting area, a 24-hour accessible pilot lounge, office, and classroom space. The entire $7 million project is funded by $6 million in FAA funds, $500,000 from ODAA, and $500,000 from the cities of Guthrie and Edmond. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
In runway and taxiway improvement projects, Chandler Regional Airport's current runway shows signs of pavement deterioration and cracking. The airport will repair the pavement and apply new asphalt. The runway will be extended from 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet and widened from 60 feet to 75 feet to support larger business jets. These projects are expected to cost nearly $10.5 million combined. The FAA will fund most of the project through a grant exceeding $9.5 million. ODAA and the City of Chandler will cover the remaining costs, each contributing approximately $400,000. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
Shawnee Regional Airport will undergo upgrades to support heavier aircraft and improve operational safety. The project addresses existing weight-bearing limitations through comprehensive repair and reinforcement of the airport's runway and taxiway pavement. The FAA will provide approximately $10.8 million in primary funding. ODAA will contribute $600,000, and the City of Shawnee will match the final $600,000, totaling $12 million. Project design will begin in late 2026, with construction scheduled to start in 2028.
William R. Pogue Municipal Airport (in Sand Springs) will launch a pavement rehabilitation program to strengthen its runway and west parallel taxiway. The pavement project design will follow immediately after the upcoming airport west side terminal and hangar upgrades, implemented in two phases between 2029 and 2031 to minimize disruption to the airfield. The FAA will provide approximately $8.1 million, with ODAA and the City of Sand Springs each contributing $450,000 in matching funds.
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