STILLWATER — The Stillwater Regional Airport will receive a $4.5 million grant from the federal government to reconstruct two taxiways, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday.
“We are very excited about the federal and state funding for the completion of the Runway 17-35 Parallel Taxiway and bypass taxiway project,” said Gary Johnson, the airport’s director, in a statement.
The funding will allow the strips of pavement to meet FAA standards “critical to the safety of operations” for commercial airlines and general aviation, Johnson said.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Tulsa Republican and a pilot, said the grant will enhance the ability of American Airlines to provide commercial service at the airport.
“These improvements will enhance transportation safety and I appreciate the work of Gary Johnson and the entire Stillwater community for their efforts to secure federal and state grants for this project,” Inhofe said in a statement.
“Economic growth begins with infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing the benefit this project will have on the city and the surrounding region by enhancing passenger service and general aviation activity,” he added.
In 2013, the Stillwater airport received a $477,000 federal grant from the Department of Transportation and began working to attract an airline. In August 2016 it began offering twice-daily flights to Dallas, through American Airlines.
http://newsok.com/stillwater-airport-receives-4.5-million-federal-grant/article/5564146