Oklahoma Aviation Officials Reworking Airport Investment Plan

Aviation officials are revamping the proposal they plan to present to legislators asking for investment in the state's regional airports.

Last month, Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Executive Director Victor Bird had suggested a plan to have the state contribute up to 70 percent of the cost for upgrading and renovating the regional airports that have the most demand and local support, provided as grants or loans.

However, on Thursday Bird said he has grown increasingly concerned about the commission's ability to run a loan program. The commission would have to develop the financial expertise to determine if the airports would have the ability to repay a loan. "And if we become a lender, we would also have to be prepared to be a forecloser," said Bird.

Instead of a 70-30 split, an arrangement where the local city puts up 25 percent, the commission puts up 25 percent and the state picks up 50 percent might work, he said.

The deadline for filing bills for this year's legislative session is Jan. 18.

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