Oklahoma Greenlights $520 Million, Five-Year Airport Construction Program

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission approved a $520 million, five-year program to improve the state’s airport network during its May 13 meeting. The comprehensive initiative funds 176 total infrastructure developments, including 99 specific pro-growth projects.

Running from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics’ (ODAA) Airport Construction Program (ACP) pools federal, state, and local funds to accelerate aviation business growth and enhance safety measures statewide. The strategy targets infrastructure needs to attract new commercial investment and transform airports into stronger economic drivers for local communities, while ensuring aviation facilities support the state’s transportation needs.

“This plan represents a bold, pro-growth vision for Oklahoma and continues our leap into the global aerospace economy,” said Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director. “We’re not just maintaining runways; we’re building a world-class network capable of supporting next-generation commercial aircraft and pioneering aerospace industry operations to drive our state’s economy for decades.”

Major Hangar Projects

• Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport (formerly Clinton-Sherman Airport)
  Infinity One will dedicate facilities to bring New Zealand-based Dawn Aerospace and its suborbital flight program to Oklahoma. The co-location agreement includes a hangar, office building, and supporting facilities so Dawn’s engineering, operations, and maintenance teams can ensure safe flight operations and rapid mission turnarounds. The state appropriated $7.5 million for the project, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
  
  
• Tulsa International Airport
  Tulsa will construct an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hangar that will be large enough to accommodate widebody commercial aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767. The aircraft measures more than 200 feet in length with a 156-foot wingspan. Tulsa Airport will invest $9 million, and the ODAA will contribute $6 million to cover the $15 million project. Design is planned for 2027, with construction to start shortly after.
  
  
• Chickasha Municipal Airport
  Chickasha will construct 12,000-square-foot and 10,000-square-foot hangars as part of an ODAA-led effort to increase revenue-generating storage space at airports and promote aviation business growth. The Statewide Hangar Grant Program, created in 2022, aims to address an ongoing shortage of hangar space across the state. The nearly $2.9 million project will be funded with about $723,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nearly $1.3 million from the ODAA, and a little more than $850,000 from the City of Chickasha. Construction is expected to begin summer 2026.

Terminal Building Construction

• Ponca City Regional Airport
  Ponca City will replace its outdated terminal with a new building to accommodate waiting passengers, pilots, and other visitors. The new terminal will be relocated to the west of the existing building to allow for an apron. The FAA will provide $9.4 million in grants to fund most of the nearly $13 million project; ODAA will fund $1 million; and the City of Ponca City will cover the remaining $2.4 million. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
  
  
• Watonga Municipal Airport
  As part of an ongoing infrastructure initiative, Watonga will construct a new terminal building to replace its aging facility and prompt 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 project, Watonga’s airport will also build a new taxiway, apron, and entrance road, as well as install new utilities. The current terminal and roadway/utility phase is expected to cost $3.5 million, which will be funded with state-appropriated money. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2026.
  
  
• Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport
  Guthrie-Edmond will build a new terminal and expand its apron to replace its smaller terminal, originally built as part of an aircraft hangar in 2001. The new 7,000-square-foot hangar will double its current size and include a passenger waiting area, a 24-hour accessible pilot lounge, offices, and classroom space. The overall $7 million project will be funded with $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.

Runway and Taxiway Improvements

• Chandler Regional Airport
  Chandler’s current runway is showing signs of pavement distress and cracking. The airport will rehabilitate and overlay the pavement with new asphalt. Additionally, the runway will be extended from 4,000 to 5,000 feet and widen from 60 to 75 feet to support larger business aircraft. The combined projects are expected to cost nearly $10.5 million. The FAA will fund most of the project with more than $9.5 million in grants. The ODAA and the City of Chandler will cover the remaining costs, each providing about $400,000. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
  
  
• Shawnee Regional Airport
  Shawnee will undergo an upgrade to support heavier aircraft and improve operational safety. The project addresses existing weight-bearing limitations by fully rehabilitating and strengthening the airport’s runway and taxiway pavements. The FAA will cover most of the funding with about $10.8 million. The ODAA will provide $600,000, and the City of Shawnee will match the last $600,000 for a total of $12 million. Project design begins in late 2026, with construction scheduled to start in 2028.
  
  
• William R. Pogue Municipal (Sand Springs)
  As part of a long-term improvement program, Sand Springs will launch a pavement rehabilitation plan to reinforce its runway and the west parallel taxiway. Designed to immediately follow upcoming terminal and hangar upgrades on the airport’s west side, the pavement project will be executed in two targeted phases between 2029 and 2031 to minimize airfield disruptions. The FAA will fund about $8.1 million, while ODAA and the City of Sand Springs will each provide $450,000 in matching funds to the project.

The ODAA partners with the FAA and local communities to develop a safe airport system using the 2023 Oklahoma Airport System Plan (OASP). The OASP is a long-term plan that categorizes airports to guide development, while the ACP manages state and federal funding for approved projects. This multi-year collaboration allows officials to anticipate financial needs and adjust project schedules appropriately.

Oklahoma’s current and previous ACP documents can be found under the airports section on the ODAA website at oklahoma.gov/aerospace.

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Aerospace Industry Facts:
The Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Industry produces just under $44 billion in annual economic activity, making it the second largest economic engine in our state. Three segments account for the $44 billion total: Military aviation, $19.3 billion; off-airport aviation and aerospace businesses, $13.9 billion; and the 107 commercial and general aviation airports, $10.6 billion. Aviation and aerospace supports 206,000 direct and indirect jobs totaling a $11.7 billion payroll. The average salary in the industry is $73,300 making it one of the highest average salaries in the state.