Photo – The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and Ardmore’s Downtown Executive Airport held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. The airport is set to begin renovations involving the demolition of its 60-year-old terminal and its replacement with a new, larger facility.
Ardmore’s Downtown Executive Airport is set to undergo a significant renovation. The aging 60-year-old terminal will be demolished and replaced with a new facility, made possible through a partnership between the airport, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
ODAA and the City of Ardmore celebrated the improvements with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. The new terminal is expected to more than double its original size, expanding from 1,125 square feet to 3,368 square feet. The updated building will also feature a lounge area, office space, and bathrooms equipped with showers for pilots.
“Ardmore is a city on the rise, and these improvements are built to support a shared future in the region,” said Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director. “By enhancing these facilities, we’re focusing on operational efficiency and long-term commercial sustainability while strengthening this vital resource for all of Carter County.”
The new terminal building is planned to cost about $3.3 million. About $1 million will come from ODAA funds, another $1 million will be provided by the city while the remaining $1.3 million will come from the FAA. These infrastructure improvements are part of ODAA’s Airport Construction Program (ACP), a five-year revolving plan. The program operates in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local airport sponsors to develop and maintain a statewide airport system that supports the business, transportation, and commerce needs of communities across Oklahoma.
“We’re very excited about the new terminal and the potential it will bring to the area,” said Dan Luttrell, Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport director. “As flights come in, the new terminal will be the first thing the pilots and passengers see. We are proud to be the first impression that reflects the quality of our operations here in Ardmore.”
The new terminal is expected to be completed by November 2026. Other improvements slated for Ardmore’s downtown airport include the installation of a perimeter fence around the airfield to be completed by mid-2026 as well as a planned rehabilitation of Runway 17/35 to be completed by mid-2028.
Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport is owned and operated by the City of Ardmore. The airport is home to more than 40 based aircraft and sees about 9,500 take-offs and landings annually. Opened in 1965, the airport sits on 110 acres about a mile southeast of the central business district of Ardmore.
