Projects advancing the airport into the future

Jonesboro, Arkansas – The Jonesboro Municipal Airport’s future is right around the corner.

The airport convened a meeting on Monday to discuss projects that will increase airport accessibility in light of the region’s ongoing growth.

A project to improve the runway is now in the early stages of design, with construction set to begin in 2023.

George Jackson, the airport manager, outlined the need for Jonesboro to bolster the runway.

“The runway strengthening project is a huge investment. We’re already experiencing a lot of aircraft that are wanting to come into Jonesboro. We have the justification,” said Jackson. “We’re not able to accommodate those larger, heavier aircraft so this is a huge project to get us up to where we need to be.”

The airport is currently working on initiatives to renovate its taxiway and asphalt as well as build storage hangars.

A terminal building is another significant undertaking the airport is funding.

“We’re still doing our terminal building design to replace the one damaged by the 2020 tornado,” said Jackson. “We’re looking at a completion date for the design by April 2023. It will be a 2023 project along with the runway strengthening.”

Northeast Arkansas would benefit from the renovations, according to Jackson, not only the airport.

“It’s going to be beneficial to everybody. To Jonesboro as well as Northeast Arkansas. Being able to have the facilities and everything is growing in this area so it’s a must-have to keep up with the growth.”