Living up to its namesake, Wiley Post Airport (PWA) in Oklahoma City is continuing innovations and improvements to the airport by widening its Runway 17R/35L to 100 feet to accommodate larger business jet aircraft on its west parallel runway. The city’s main airport for General Aviation (GA) activity celebrated the improvements Wednesday, July 30 with a ribbon-cutting and tour for attendees.
In addition to the runway improvements, the airport also made upgrades to the drainage system to help prepare for future development opportunities. The project was initially approved as part of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics’ (ODAA) Airport Construction Plan (ACP) in 2020. The total cost of the improvements was $12 million. The majority of the project cost was covered by federal funds with $1 million coming from the local airport sponsor. More than $5 million of the total project cost was part of a Congressional Designated Spending allocation made possible by Congresswoman Stephanie Bice. The ACP is a five-year revolving plan the ODAA provides in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airport sponsors to support the combined goal of having a system of airports that serve the business, transportation, and commerce needs of communities across the state.
“As an FAA-designated reliever airport for OKC Will Rogers International Airport, Wiley Post is vital to the health of central Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace industry,” said Executive Director Grayson Ardies, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. “These infrastructure improvements are imperative to attracting a variety of businesses to the state and to help solidify Oklahoma’s place in the national spotlight as a sustainable hub for aviation.”
Built in 1942, Wiley Post is home to 76 businesses including 39 corporate operators, 34 aviation-related businesses and three Fixed-Base Operators (FBO). The airport serves as a base for more than 480 aircraft including single-engine and multi-engine airplanes, jets, and helicopters. Wiley Post Airport supports more than 600 total jobs and generates more than $100 million in direct economic impact every year.
Wiley Post has more upgrades on the horizon including box hangar construction, taxiway improvements and the replacement of runway lighting set to take place over the next five years.
