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Johnston Regional Airport cites rapid growth, seeks county support for control tower and infrastructure
Summary
Airport officials told the county board the airport has grown faster than its 2020 master plan forecast, now hosts over 170 based aircraft, and is pursuing a control‑tower project (standard tower roughly $20M; remote digital tower could lower costs and accelerate timing).
Airport Authority Chair Ken Starling and Airport Director Dave Harris presented the airport’s annual report and asked the Board of Commissioners to continue county support for infrastructure and potential local matches for a control tower and other projects.
Starling said the airport’s recent hangar additions and leasing model have driven a higher‑than‑expected growth in based aircraft and tenant revenues. "We—e almost blown every number off the chart already," he said, noting over 170 aircraft currently based at Johnston Regional. The airport reported $2.9 million in revenue for fiscal 2025 and stronger performance into 2026.
Director Dave Harris framed the control tower as a safety priority and the airport’s top strategic imperative. He described two delivery paths: a standard brick‑and‑mortar tower estimated at about $20 million (with the federal program typically requiring at least a 10% local match) and newer remote digital‑tower technology that could reduce capital costs to roughly $12 million and move an operational tower forward faster. "This is our number one strategic imperative," Harris said.
Why it matters: Commissioners were told Johnston Regional is among the busiest general‑aviation airports in North Carolina and currently operates without an air‑traffic control tower. Airport leaders said a tower—manned or remote—would address congestion and safety as operations grow.
Funding and timing: Staff outlined a multi‑year schedule that could see a traditional tower completed around 2030; a remote digital tower or a two‑year mobile‑tower leasing solution could bring partial operations online sooner but would still require annual operating support. Airport staff said design, environmental assessment, and a funding strategy are underway and that they will seek the board’s help on match funding and permitting when specific proposals are ready.
The presentation closed with an invitation for commissioners to visit the airport for briefings and to review design and funding materials as staff returns with concrete requests.
