1,500-foot runway extension takes off at Lancaster Municipal Airport

Construction on a 1,500-foot runway and taxi extension began in early December at Lancaster Municipal Airport. In addition to extending the 5,000-foot runway, Lancaster Municipal Airport will upgrade Runways 13/31 with an inch of asphalt overlay.

Lancaster Municipal Airport lies south of the Dallas Logistics Hub and is located at Ferris Road and Belt Line west of I-45. The runway extension is part of the City of Lancaster’s 2006 Master Plan.

“This runway and taxiway extension is an opportunity for the City of Lancaster and the Lancaster Airport to support the growth potential of our proximity to the Dallas Logistics Hub,” said Arb Rylant, Lancaster Municipal Airport Manager. “The ability to fill our larger hangar space will have a significant economic impact on the airport and the city.”

The original grass runway of the nearly 50-year-old airport is still visible and runs parallel to Runways 13/31. Lancaster Municipal Airport was founded in 1963 by Guy Joe Smith. Several years later, Smith partnered with Jack and Randall Green, owners of Green and Green Manufacturing. The Greens immediately put down a 3,000-foot asphalt runway and parallel taxiway and began building hangars. In 1978, the Greens gifted Lancaster Municipal Airport to the City of Lancaster.

“The current expansion under the 2006 Master Plan follows the legacy of the Greens and Mr. Smith to ensure that Lancaster Municipal Airport is not only a key asset to the City of Lancaster, but also our neighboring municipalities and the Dallas Logistics Hub,” said Rylant.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a civilian organization which restores, maintains and flies vintage aircraft of World War II, has made Lancaster Municipal Airport its home base since 1988. Their 10,000-square-foot facility houses up to 10 vintage airplanes on public display. The airport also hosts the Cold War Air Museum, which renovates, displays and flies Cold War era aircraft within its 45,000-square-foot facility.

The 1,500-foot expansion project is set to be completed by mid-September 2010. For more information on Lancaster Municipal Airport, visit www.lancastermunicipalairport.com.