2006 Sees Growth In Oklahoma Aviation

Wednesday, December 27th 2006, 10:15 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ This was a good year for the aviation industry in Oklahoma, with major improvements at commercial airports and positive business developments for this important sector of the state's economy.

In Midwest City, the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Technology Center's first hangar was completed, preparing the way for more than 300 jobs.

Renovations and expansion were done at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City and at Tulsa International Airport.

``I think in Oklahoma we're doing very, very well,'' said Victor Bird, executive director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. ``The industry is really enjoying some real dramatic growth.''

Boeing Co. announced in January its plans to invest $100 million and operate three hangars at the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Technology Center near Tinker Air Force Base. Boeing dedicated its first hangar at the facility in November.

Oklahoma City-based Rocketplane Limited Inc., a developer of aerospace vehicles, merged with Washington's Kistler Aerospace Co. in March to form Rocketplane Kistler. In August, Rocketplane Kistler was awarded a $207 million contract from NASA to do a demonstration flight at International Space Station in 2009.

``It's been an extremely good year for us,'' said Bob Seto, company vice president and chief of staff. ``One could say we've gotten lucky, but it's taken a lot of strategic planning.''

In November, a $110 million renovation project, which had been under way for more than five years, was completed at Will Rogers World Airport.

The size of the terminal building was nearly doubled, including construction of a new concourse and a redesigned baggage delivery system.

United Airlines began nonstop service to Los Angeles this year, and the Oklahoma City airport opened a new parking lot, adding 1,000 new spots.

Tulsa International Airport completed $12 million of airfield construction and rehabilitation work in October and later expanded its food court.

Dallas-based American airlines houses its largest maintenance base in Tulsa.

That base is to produce and install low-drag tailcones on the airline's MD-80 aircrafts. American Airlines also sealed a four-year, $30 million contract with Allegiant Air to service the Las Vegas carrier's aircraft. That work will be done at the Tulsa base.

``Tulsa is really a shining example of how you can turn around an organization,'' said Roger Frizzell, American's vice president of corporate communications and advertising. Frizzell said the Tulsa base went from a cost center to a profit center.

``They've completely re-invented themselves.''