Tyler Pounds Regional Airport – Tyler, Texas

July 29, 2024

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport

Soaring High

Landing into a premier aviation hub in East Texas known for community engagement, educational initiatives, and cutting-edge infrastructure.

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in Texas is an integral aviation hub that serves various aviation needs. It is a thriving commercial, general aviation, corporate, and military flying center. It proudly supports the broader East Texas region and aspires to increase its fleet of aircraft and enhance its operational footprint.

“Today, Tyler is a robust and growing airport,” says Airport Manager Steve Thompson. He emphasizes the airport’s role as a key player in regional aviation and highlights its comprehensive services. We pride ourselves in being a center of aviation excellence for all of East Texas.”

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport currently features daily scheduled service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) operated by American Airlines through its regional branch, Envoy Air. “We currently have daily scheduled service between Tyler and DFW, serviced by Envoy with American Airlines,” Thompson confirms, underscoring American Airlines as their primary carrier.

Thompson notes a substantial rise in commercial passenger numbers over the past year. “We’ve recently been blessed with a larger aircraft,” he states. This upgrade contributed to nearly 50,000 enplanements in 2023, a significant jump from the previous year’s 40,700. He provides precise figures to illustrate this growth: “2023 was 49,914, up from the previous year that was at 40,700.”

The increase represents more than a 15% uptick in passenger numbers, a remarkable achievement for the airport. “We hadn’t seen numbers that high for several years, back since 2018, 2019,” Thompson remarks, reflecting on the airport’s performance trends.

A Hub for Tourism and General Aviation

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport serves as a conduit for commercial flights and a key destination for general aviation (GA) enthusiasts and tourists. The city’s recent developments and strategic investments are drawing increasing visitors, adding to the airport’s bustling activity.

“A key development this year is the city opening a new conference and event center,” says Thompson. The W Berkshires Conference Center has quickly become a focal point for various events, driving additional traffic to the airport. “This new venue provides a place for conferences, gatherings, and social events. We’ve already seen many events hosted there, which can help fuel the additional traffic to town.”

In tandem with the conference center, the City of Tyler is revitalizing its downtown area. “The city is investing in a new courthouse and revitalizing the downtown square,” Thompson notes, reflecting on the city’s broader urban planning efforts. This revitalization complements the airport’s appeal by enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Thompson also highlights several aviation-related events that attract GA traffic to Tyler Pounds. “Our annual air show, the Rose City Air Fest, will be in its fourth year this year,” he shares. The air fest is a significant draw for aviation enthusiasts, showcasing a variety of aircraft and aerobatic displays. Additionally, the airport hosts several fly-ins throughout the year, including the recent Challenge Air event, which introduces children and families to the excitement of flight by pairing them with local aircraft owners.

Another noteworthy event is the Texas V Tails fly-in. “We are hosting a fly-in with the Texas V Tails as they prepare for their annual formation trip to Oshkosh,” says Thompson, referring to the distinctive Bonanza aircraft participating in this formation flying event.

The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum (HAMM), based at Tyler Pounds, is another significant attraction. “Our museum continues to grow and expand,” Thompson notes. The museum features an extensive collection of military uniforms and artifacts and one of the largest military libraries in the area. It also boasts an outdoor display area with numerous historic military aircraft. The museum partners with the airport for events like the Challenge Air program and the Warbirds Expo, where visitors can experience flights in vintage aircraft.

Strengthening Educational Ties and Addressing Pilot Shortages

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is an aviation hub and a catalyst for educational collaboration and workforce development. These partnerships are instrumental in addressing industry challenges, such as the shortage of pilots and maintenance technicians.

“We have private instructors that work with our fixed-base operators (FBOs),” says Thompson. These instructors provide crucial flight training services. However, the airport seeks to establish a full-time flight school. “We are very eager to bring a full-time flight school to our campus,” he adds, indicating the airport’s forward-looking strategy.

The need for such an initiative is underscored by the ongoing pilot and maintenance technician shortage, a significant issue facing the aviation industry. “The flight pilot and maintenance shortage is real and remains a problem,” Thompson acknowledges. To combat this, the airport promotes available land for development to attract a flight school. Additionally, Thompson highlights the airport’s robust partnerships with local educational institutions. “We have a great partnership with local education institutions, both Tyler Junior College and UT Tyler,” he notes. These collaborations are seen as potential avenues to develop aviation-focused educational opportunities.

Further strengthening these ties, the airport has engaged students from these institutions in various hands-on experiences. “We partnered with UT Tyler to create an art display in our commercial terminal,” Thompson says, showcasing a unique blend of art and aviation. Moreover, the airport has involved students in practical exercises, enhancing real-world skills. “We worked hand in hand with TJC and UT Tyler to execute our recent emergency exercise, where we responded to a simulated aircraft emergency,” he elaborates. This exercise included participation from UT Tyler nursing students and emergency preparedness experts from TJC, providing them with valuable practical experience.

Major Upgrades and Future Projects

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is undergoing significant improvements, reflecting a commitment to enhancing its infrastructure and services. These capital projects will bolster the airport’s capacity and operational efficiency, supporting both current needs and future growth.

“We just completed a nearly $7 million taxiway reconstruction project,” says Thompson, describing the recent upgrades. This project focused on the taxiway that services two of the airport’s three runways, enhancing its functionality. The funding for this initiative came from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Additionally, the airport secured a $1.1 million grant for a site study and initial design for a new air traffic control tower. “Following the extension of our primary instrument runway, we believe there’s a better location to construct this new tower,” Thompson explains. The current tower, dating back to the 1940s, has become outdated, necessitating this modernization. “It’s a great investment by the FAA for this grant money to allow us to explore a new site, not just refurbish the old tower,” he adds.

The potential new tower sites are being carefully evaluated, with Thompson expressing a preference for a location adjacent to the commercial terminal. “We can leverage existing infrastructure and help to reduce costs at this location,” he notes. This strategic positioning is expected to minimize expenses and enhance operational efficiency. The projected cost for the new tower is around $20 million, and the airport is actively seeking funding for the construction phase.

In addition to the control tower, other significant projects are in progress. The airport is preparing to install a new passenger boarding bridge. “This will support larger aircraft and ensure continued success into the future of our commercial flying operations,” Thompson says. This infrastructure upgrade aligns with the airport’s goal of accommodating increasing passenger numbers and larger aircraft.

The investment in these infrastructure projects reflects a broader vision to enhance the airport’s operational capabilities and safety. “This shows everyone’s investment in the airfield,” Thompson remarks. He highlights the importance of these improvements for the airport and the surrounding community, including critical services like Flight for Life operations that transit the airspace to local hospitals such as UT Tyler and Christus.

Beyond infrastructure, the airport is also exploring opportunities for commercial development. “We have a 30-plus acre area where we are actively pursuing additional hangar construction and private development,” Thompson says. This area offers ample space and connectivity to the airfield, making it an ideal location for corporate and general aviation use. Strategically located near Interstate 20 and the newly constructed Tollway 49, this site is poised to attract new businesses, potentially including cargo operations or distribution facilities. “We would love to see [them] make Tyler home,” Thompson avers, highlighting the airport’s potential as a critical economic driver for the region.

Vision for the Future

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport’s future is brimming with promise, guided by a clear vision to serve East Texas and beyond. Thompson shares his aspirations for the next few years.

“The area as a whole seems to be becoming a younger population,” he observes. He sees great potential in leveraging the nearby institutions of higher learning and the new medical school to attract and support new residents. This influx, he believes, offers significant opportunities for individuals entering the aviation industry.

Thompson envisions the airport as a multifaceted hub where people can engage with aviation in various ways. “People will come whether it’s to enjoy a day at the museum, take their first flight lesson, learn how to become an aviation mechanic, charter an aircraft to a faraway destination, or, of course, enjoy our commercial flights that can take them virtually anywhere through DFW,” he explains.

A surge in school tours highlights the airport’s growing community engagement. “We’ve seen an unprecedented number of school tours,” Thompson notes. From young grade school kids to college students, many are showing interest in aviation. “We are bringing kids by the busload to visit this airport,” he says. These tours provide an opportunity to see the commercial and corporate sides of the airport and the museum, infusing new energy into the community’s connection with aviation.

While the airport significantly emphasizes expanding its commercial operations, Thompson emphasizes the diversity of activities available. “We’d love to see [the commercial end] grow. That’s always a great priority with us,” he states. However, he also points out that the airport is investing resources to inform people about its various services and experiences. “There’s a variety of things you can do at the airport besides the commercial service.”

The airport is home to several outlets that enhance its service offerings. “We have Johnson Aviation, an FBO that provides small aircraft maintenance, such as annual inspections,” Thompson details. Other key players include Texas Turbine, which handles inspections and repairs on turboprop and light jet aircraft, and HSI, focusing on King Air aircraft maintenance and gear overhaul. Dedicated Aircraft Works specializes in Cirrus Aircraft and serves as an A&P shop for these models. These services cater to local aircraft and attract many transient aircraft to Tyler.

This activity employs local residents and addresses a common challenge for small airports. “A challenge for most small airports is having to fly away to get these services done,” Thompson explains. The fact that Tyler Pounds Regional Airport offers a wide range of services on-site is a significant advantage. “Our local base of over 100 aircraft can get this many different services performed here on the station. It’s a real blessing,” he concludes, highlighting the comprehensive capabilities that set Tyler Pounds apart.