Airport Upgrades on the Way

TYLER � Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is getting in on the city�s half-cent sales tax funds. Airport Manager Davis Dickson tells KETK a majority of the funds are being used to replace the airport�s 20-year-old runway. Right now, the airport has an instrument landing system that allows precision guidance to aircraft during bad weather or low visibility. They are considering moving it to their longer runway once the renovations are complete.

Dickson says airport traffic is growing in popularity, and new pavement would permit an up-to-standard weight capacity. According to Dickson, �It�s a proactive measure to address future growth of the airport and to make sure the airport can serve future needs, more operation with larger aircraft.� Dickson added that moving the landing system over to the newly renovated runway is a costly project, for which officials would also consider using the half-cent sales tax funds.