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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.
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Left to right: Pistol Pete; American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris; Stillwater Regional Airport Director Kellie Reed; Congressman Frank Lucas; Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce; Oklahoma State University Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray; Stillwater Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski; Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Executive Director Grayson Ardies; and Payne County Commissioner Zach Cavett. |
Additional event pictures are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBKSA9.
Longtime Friends Expand MRO Operations With Grand Opening of AvionAero FBO at Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma
BETHANY, Okla. – Longtime friends Sho Kassam and Justin Covalt have officially opened AvionAero, a new Phillips 66® branded fixed-base operator (FBO), at Wiley Post Airport (KPWA) in Bethany, Oklahoma, just outside Oklahoma City. The facility celebrated its grand opening with the community in April 2026.
AvionAero brings together a full-service FBO and FAA Part 145 repair station, offering operators a one-stop destination for fuel, maintenance, and personalized service. Built on friendship, trust, and decades of aviation experience, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to operational excellence and customer care.
Raising the Standard of Customer Care
From its humble beginnings as an MRO, AvionAero prides itself on understanding that both aircraft and the people who fly them require thoughtful, reliable service and amenities.
The new FBO features a 45,000-square-foot terminal and hangar designed to enhance the pilot and passenger experience. Amenities include no ramp fees on quick turns or with a minimum fuel purchase, ample tie-down space and 80,000 square feet of hangar space, and a refreshed lobby. Pilots also have access to a lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi, ice, coffee and snacks, along with courtesy vehicles, including new cars and electric Cadillac crew cars. The hangars can accommodate light to large size jets. The lobby renovation spans 10,000 square feet and represents an initial investment of $500,000.
Their motto, “Sensible Service People™,” a philosophy rooted in simplicity, extends across the operation, from line service to maintenance to customer hospitality, reflecting the owners’ belief that strong relationships are just as important as technical expertise.
“As an independent FBO, we can spoil our customers, and that’s how we compete and win on personal service. We offer a personal touch and are willing to do more than the bare minimum whenever our customer asks of us,” said Covalt.
A Collaboration a Decade in the Making
Kassam, co-owner of AvionAero, launched his aviation career in 1999 and founded a charter company that operated as Oklahoma Aviation in 2012. As the business evolved, Kassam rebranded the charter operation as Soulbird and expanded flight training. Five years ago, he separated the charter and flight school operations to allow each to grow independently.
Around the same time, Covalt was building his own reputation in the industry, spending nearly two decades with Textron Aviation Company and developing deep expertise in aircraft maintenance and operations.
The two had known each other for more than a decade through Oklahoma’s aviation community before formally joining forces in 2018 to launch a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business in Bethany. As demand for maintenance continued to grow year after year, the partners began envisioning a larger operation that could bring fueling, maintenance and customer service together under one roof, ultimately leading to the creation of AvionAero.
“We saw a clear need in the market, with an abundance of maintenance opportunities driven by a shortage,” Kassam said. “That’s when we knew it was time to build something of our own.”
Full-Service FBO Built on MRO Experience
Before opening as a full-service FBO late last year, AvionAero had focused on providing exceptional MRO services, expanding to a 35,000-square-foot hangar and increasing capacity from one or two aircraft to eight to 10 small to large aircraft.
AvionAero specializes in aircraft maintenance and support across a broad range of airframes, including Beechcraft, Cessna, Learjet, Gulfstream, and IAI models. The experienced team delivers preventative maintenance, inspections, repairs and parts support, and has operated as an FAA Part 145 repair station since 2019.
“It’s convenient that operators can buy fuel, store their aircraft, and complete maintenance all in one location,” said Covalt.
Most recently, AvionAero became a Raisbeck Engineering Authorized Dealer, expanding its capabilities to deliver improved safety, efficiency, and performance enhancements for aircraft operators across the region.
“What helps us excel is hiring people who have a mix of skillsets so everyone can cross-train with one another. We also have an active training program that has achieved the FAA Diamond Award for several years,” continued Covalt.
Hospitality Backed by Phillips 66® Aviation
As a new member of the Phillips 66® branded network, the FBO is designed with pilot, crew, and passenger comfort in mind.
“What helps even more in this new venture is Phillips 66® Aviation’s attentiveness, responsiveness, and accessibility, where they truly want us to succeed,” said Kassam.
“We’re not just a maintenance facility, we’re in the hospitality business for aircraft,” said Covalt. “Our ability to react and get the airplane back into the air is a big reason for our strong operational presence.”
Rooted in Community
In the community, AvionAero partners with Putnam City Schools through an on-airport aviation program that offers an A&P track. Employees mentor interns and support students pursuing aviation careers. The company also supports a local faith-based women’s recovery center and maintains longstanding community partnerships.
Looking ahead, AvionAero plans to expand its hangar and fueling capacity while continuing to modernize facilities, serving both local and transient customers from across the region.
For more information, visit avionaero.com.
(Above release provided courtesy of AvionAero FBO)
