Articles

OAOA Recognizes OCAP Recipients

SWO’s New Terminal Available in 2026 

(Stillwater, OK) – Stillwater Regional Airport will enhance flight amenities and options in 2026 through a new 31,375 sq. ft. new terminal that is officially under construction following the groundbreaking ceremony October 1. Federal, state and local officials gathered, along with community leaders and representatives from the aviation community, Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines to mark the occasion.

“We are elated to be celebrating this monumental development with everyone and for the opportunity to bring a world-class terminal to Stillwater,” Airport Director Kellie Reed said. “We extend our gratitude to American Airlines for eight years of commercial service in Stillwater and we look forward to many continued years of that partnership.”

American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris said American Airlines wants to see its eight-year partnership with Stillwater Regional Airport continue to grow. The airline wants to provide the right services for the passengers and to ensure OSU, the community and businesses continue to flourish, he said.  

Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce addressed the project’s significance to the community and its impact on economic development. The new terminal is the product of many years of effort, he said. The larger terminal will allow Stillwater to increase flight operations and continue to grow the region from which travelers flying in and out of Stillwater Regional Airport are drawn. 

Having commercial air service in Stillwater has a significant impact on business and on Oklahoma State University for recruiting staff and students. The new terminal will only enhance that impact, Joyce said. 

“It’s hard to overstate how big of a game-changer this is for us,” he said. “We’re so excited and so appreciative of all those who have made an effort to make this happen and are continuing the effort.”

ODAA Director Grayson Ardies emphasized the project’s statewide impact. "The groundbreaking of Stillwater Regional Airport’s new terminal is a significant milestone for Oklahoma's aviation and aerospace industry as a whole,” Ardies said. “This 31,000-square-foot facility will not only support the growth of air transportation for Stillwater but also contribute to our statewide efforts to enhance connectivity and foster economic development. By investing in infrastructure like this, we're ensuring that Oklahoma remains at the forefront of aviation innovation, meeting the needs of travelers and businesses alike.”

OSU Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray said Stillwater Regional Airport is critical not just for OSU’s fast-growing aviation program, but for accessibility for the university as it continues to grow and for OSU athletics.  

Congressman Frank Lucas also touched on the connection between Stillwater Regional Airport and Oklahoma State University. The university, community and state will all benefit from continued growth and development of the airport, he said.  

“Let us not forget, this is a continuing process to expand the potential of this community and of our comprehensive university,” Lucas said. “It’s not just the access to the world that our athletic department needs; it’s the access to the world that our research department needs. It’s the ability of people to come to Stillwater easily, conveniently and quickly to do their business.” 

Funding for the $27 million project is provided from partners including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, and the City of Stillwater. 

Stillwater Regional Airport is one of only four airports in the state to offer scheduled commercial passenger air service. The new terminal replaces a building constructed in 1952 that was retrofitted for the launch of commercial air service in 2016.

Offering modern facilities with concession space and two gates, the new terminal will serve Stillwater and the surrounding region for decades to come. 

“The (new) terminal was beautifully and mindfully designed with both aviation and local Stillwater influences included from the McFarland Architects team,” Reed said. 

Phase I of the project consists of the new terminal building, parking lot, and a 4-lane drop off. Further roadway improvements will be in Phase II. Completion of the terminal is expected in August 2026. 

Additional event pictures are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBKSA9. 

West Woodward Airport Unveils New Terminal and Major Infrastructure Upgrades to Fuel Regional Economic Growth

Posted by amc on 02/16/2026 12:55 pm  

By Melissa Fuller

Friday, February 13, 2026

WOODWARD, Okla. The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and West Woodward Airport officially marked the completion of a multi-million dollar transformation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

The event celebrated the opening of a new terminal building and several vital upgrades engineered to position Woodward as a prime hub for business and general aviation in the Western Oklahoma region.

Facilitated by the ODAA's five-year revolving Airport Construction Program (ACP) plan and fueled by Oklahoma's Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) program, these improvements to West Woodward strengthen a vital link in the state's airport system. The total cost of the updates comes in at a little more than $12 million. They include a new terminal building and dedicated parking lot ($4 million); a corporate box hangar and expanded apron ($4.4 million); construction of new south taxilane and access road ($2.6 million); and utility infrastructure to support the terminal and hangar ($969,000).

The PREP fund, established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2022, was created specifically to fuel economic growth and invest in workforce development in the state's rural areas. The improvements at West Woodward Airport are model examples of how those funds have been used to update infrastructure to facilitate commerce and travel within the state.

“Oklahoma's aerospace industry is a vital economic engine for our state,” said Grayson Ardies, ODAA Executive Director. “The completion of these pro-growth projects at West Woodward ensures that Western Oklahoma remains competitive and capable of supporting the evolving needs of both corporate and general aviation.”

The ceremony featured remarks from Reps. Carl Newton and Mike Dobrinski (R-Woodward), Sen. Casey Murdock (R-Woodward), Woodward City Manager Shaun Barrett, and Mayor Tom Fisher. The event drew a large crowd of local residents, aviation enthusiasts, and pilots, with fly-ins arriving as early as 9:30 a.m. to tour the new facilities.

“This investment is a game-changer for West Woodward Airport and our entire city,” said Mayor Fisher. “Thanks to the State Legislature and our partners at ODAA, we are modernizing our facilities to fuel job creation and long-term economic opportunity across Woodward County and throughout the Western Oklahoma region.”

With the addition of the new terminal and corporate hangar, the City of Woodward is focused on attracting new business tenants and increasing revenue-generating storage, securing a prosperous outlook for the greater regional economy.

Originally opened as Woodward Army Airfield in March of 1943, modern-day West Woodward Airport serves as a critical gateway for Western Oklahoma, providing essential services for general aviation and corporate travel. Woodward features a 5,502-ft. primary runway and a shorter 2,500-ft. runway. The airport has 27 based aircraft and sees about 6,000 take-offs and landings annually.

For more information on Oklahoma's ACP, visit the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics website at oklahoma.gov/aerospace/airports/airport_construction_program .

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