Pryor Field Regional Airport: Expands with New Taxiway and Access Road in Northwest Alabama

Pryor Field Regional Airport: Pryor Field Regional Airport (DCU) is expanding once again, as a new taxiway and access road take shape on the northwest side. Breaking ground this month, the project, located in Tanner, Alabama, marks the beginning of a concrete taxiway and access road branching off the existing parallel taxiway for Runway 18/36. This initial phase is part of the larger plan for the airport’s cargo ramp, totaling 188,000 square feet, tailored to accommodate Boeing-737 or larger military aircraft like the C-130.

Director Adam Fox emphasized Pryor Field’s crucial role in handling on-demand freight for partners in North Alabama and Tennessee. The northwest development aims to enhance freight operations and offer space for businesses to construct facilities meeting their specific needs.

The Airport Authority has already received four Letters of Intent (LOIs) from companies eyeing development on the northwest side. Plans include the construction of a 12,000-square-foot hangar facility with classroom space north of the airport’s terminal building.

Limestone County, situated just outside Huntsville, is a key player in North Alabama’s aviation industry growth. Having recently completed an Airport Master Plan with Goodwyn Mills Cawood, aviation planning and engineering partners, the airport is moving forward with projects like the ongoing taxiway and access road, handled by Wiregrass Construction with a projected cost of $2.6 million.

Pryor Field Regional Airport

ALSO READ: Coosa Landing Initiates: First Phase of Boat Fueling Facility Construction

Grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and ALDOT Aeronautics, along with a bank bond, are supporting the project financially. The Airport Authority sees the northwest development as a strategic location for various companies and individuals. The urgency to build the necessary infrastructure was crucial to seize expansion opportunities at Pryor Field.

Faith Hooper, the first female chair of the Pryor Field Airport Authority, expressed enthusiasm about the airport’s growth and economic development prospects for Alabama. She looks forward to collaborating with fellow board members to support Adam and his team in creating jobs for the communities they serve.

Earlier this year, the Airport Authority approved a 25-year lease with a 10-year option for a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operation at Pryor Field. Huntsville-based Acquisition Integration (AI) is behind the plan, aiming to invest nearly $30 million in building 170,000 square feet of hangar and office space, generating approximately 250 jobs.

Our Reader’s Queries

How long is the runway at Pryor Field?

Pryor Field Regional Airport spans 200 acres and features a single asphalt paved runway (18/36) that measures 6,107 x 100 ft (1,861 x 30 m).

What airline hubs are in Alabama?

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and Huntsville International Airport both offer international flights to Canada and Europe. Additionally, regional airports in Mobile, Montgomery, Dothan, and northwest Alabama (near Muscle Shoals) provide scheduled commercial service.

What is the main airport in Mobile Alabama?

Situated on the Mobile Bay at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, Mobile International Airport (BFM) stands as the Gulf Coast’s latest airport terminal, conveniently positioned off I-10.

What is the major airport in Alabama?

Alabama is home to two major international airports, namely the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and the Huntsville International Airport. The Birmingham airport caters to the Greater Birmingham area and neighboring cities, providing over 160 daily arrivals and departures to various major cities across the USA.