Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Airport topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Airport director outlines $50 million in grants, passenger growth and air races preparations
Summary
Roswell airport staff reported nearly $50 million in grant-funded projects, rising passenger counts, taxiway and terminal repairs, and preparations for the September air races, including 500 RV spots and a Spaceport visit planned for August.
Airport staff told the Roswell City Council on June 12 that nearly $50 million in projects have been built or funded for the airport through grants and airport revenues and described operational growth and planned repairs ahead of the national championship air races in September.
The airport presentation said the airport portion of grant-funded work will be paid from airport revenues rather than the city general fund. Staff listed multiple projects in planning or construction: rehabilitation of a taxiway damaged when heavier aircraft were parked during COVID, apron and terminal repairs, a new electrical lighting vault expected to be advertised in mid-June with a late-September completion window, and a Taxiway Charlie extension to be used during the air races.
Airport staff reported passenger-boardings of 3,879 in May 2024 vs. 5,713 in May 2025 and said the number of aircraft tied down at the field rose to 205 during the most recent month. Staff also noted active recruiting of new carriers and additional service from existing carriers. The Airport Advisory Commission presented related details, including an estimated $1.8 to $2.0 million design-and-repair project to fix Taxiway Charlie and a separate contract for airport lighting vault construction with an expected 60-day build time.
Officials described operational planning for the national championship air races scheduled for September 2025. Staff said they expect “probably 60,000 or more attendees,” have created roughly 500 RV parking spots and additional primitive camping to ease lodging shortages, and are coordinating with local hotels and volunteer groups. Staff also reported a confirmed visit in August by about 20 people from a Spaceport organization to explore opportunities.
Councilors asked clarifying questions about federal ownership of some facilities and the status of grant-funded projects. Airport staff said the airport master plan awaits Federal Aviation Administration approval pending a zoning issue, and that some projects will be scheduled to avoid conflict with the air-race events.
The Airport Advisory Commission reported a five-year capital improvement plan totaling $42,874 (as read in the packet; staff noted the figure in context) for 2026–2030, with most funding expected from federal and state sources. The commission also provided a construction schedule for multiple projects, and staff said the Walker Aviation Museum is now reopened after repairs.
