Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) has unveiled a series of aviation infrastructure projects and confirmed its sponsorship of key aerospace events, following its October commission meeting in Oklahoma City.
The meeting outlined progress on several major airport improvement projects scheduled for 2026, alongside preparations for major events designed to promote Oklahoma’s fast-growing aerospace and defence sector. Commissioners also reviewed the Department’s upcoming legislative priorities, which aim to strengthen the state’s position as a national hub for aviation business and innovation.
Major Airport Investments Across the State
Among the most notable developments, Enid Woodring Regional Airport will begin construction on eight new 2,500-square-foot conjoined box hangars in 2026. The £1.6m ($2m) project will replace ageing facilities located within the Taxilane Object Free Area (TOFA), a move intended to enhance safety for aircraft operations. Funding will include roughly $847,000 from the ODAA and $1.27m from the local airport sponsor.
The initiative forms part of the Department’s broader effort to expand hangar capacity and generate additional airport revenue. Launched in 2022, the Statewide Hangar Grant Programme was established to address a persistent shortage of hangar space across Oklahoma and promote aviation-related business growth.
At Okmulgee Regional Airport, a £415,000 ($510,500) upgrade will see the installation of LED runway lighting, new signage and precision approach path indicators (PAPIs), ensuring round-the-clock functionality and improved visibility for pilots in adverse weather. The ODAA will contribute approximately $485,000 to the project, with $25,500 provided by the local sponsor.
Further south, Sallisaw Municipal Airport’s main runway will undergo a full rehabilitation next year after visible wear and cracking were reported. The project, valued at nearly $2.2m, will receive over $2m in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding, supplemented by $53,863 each from ODAA and the local sponsor.
In Ardmore, the next phase of air cargo development at the municipal airport was approved, supported by state Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) funds. The £6.5m ($7.9m) scheme will enhance the south access road—Grumman Street—and create parking facilities for a future air cargo complex, fully financed through PREP sources.
All projects fall under the Department’s Airport Construction Programme (ACP), a five-year rolling plan coordinated with the FAA and local airport sponsors to sustain a comprehensive network of airports supporting commerce, transport and community needs.
“Maintaining a strong airport infrastructure is essential for the growth of local communities and as well as the advancement of aerospace commerce statewide,” said Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director. “We look forward to these projects proceeding as we work to enhance Oklahoma’s air transportation capabilities.”
Expanding Aerospace Engagement
Beyond construction, the Commission confirmed its backing for two major events set to highlight Oklahoma’s expanding aerospace profile.
The ninth annual Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day will take place on 12 December 2025 at AAR Corporation in Oklahoma City. Held in partnership with The Ninety-Nines International, the event will honour ODAA’s Woman of the Year, Amelia Earhart, and feature keynote speaker Amelia Rose Earhart, a record-setting pilot and professional speaker.
In spring 2026, the Department will again partner with the Oklahoma City Innovation District for Oklahoma Aerospace Week and the Aerospace Innovation Summit, scheduled for 30 March to 3 April. The week will culminate in Aerospace and Defence Day at the Capitol on 1 April, expected to draw more than 60 exhibitors and 1,200 attendees.
Recent Activities and Future Outlook
Commissioners also received reports on recent outreach and industry collaboration events. ODAA staff participated in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in during July and hosted an Advanced Air Mobility Multi-State Collaborative Meeting in August, attended by 20 aviation agencies from across the United States.
The Department supported local events including Tinker and the Primes and the Oklahoma Municipal League, while also celebrating new or completed facilities at airports in Pryor, Miami, Bartlesville, South Grand Lake, Stroud and Okemah. September also saw the return of Girls in Aviation Day at Will Rogers International Airport.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of aerospace in Oklahoma,” said Sandra Shelton, ODAA director of Government Affairs, Industry Development and Communications. “At each event, we’re seeing firsthand how the Department contributes to Oklahoma’s growth. By supporting the next generation of aviators, we are securing our state’s leading position in the aerospace industry for years to come.”
Legislative Priorities
Looking ahead to the 2026 legislative session, the ODAA will focus on attracting commerce, retaining talent and improving airspace safety. Continued refinement of aerospace engineer tax credits remains a central issue, with the goal of ensuring that incentives meet evolving industry requirements.
The next ODAA Commission meeting is scheduled for 10 December 2025 at 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in Oklahoma City. The session will be livestreamed for public viewing via oklahoma.gov/aerospace/about/commission.
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