Tulsa airport to o er international ights
Even private flights arriving from international locations were in jeopardy, with Customs and Border Patrol officials having said they would pull out of Tulsa if the existing inspection area was not significantly upgraded, but an announcement last week from the Tulsa firm Narrate Design promises to put those fears to rest.
“Major improvements for the Tulsa International Airport (TUL) mean nonstop international flights will be landing at TUL in the next 5 years,” Narrate’s website states. “Thanks to a new Federal Inspection Services (FIS) wing of the airport which will include customs and an international terminal, travelers will be able to fly in and out of the country without stopping at a larger hub airport.”
Narrate says it and mobility specialists Corgan have been tasked “to design and construct this game-changing addition to TUL. The new 45,000-squarefoot FIS facility will be the first thing travelers see upon arrival at the airport. The interior will feature local landmarks and Tulsa’s signature art deco on graphics and design details, showcasing our city for international travelers.”
The first international locations to be available to Tulsabased travelers are likely to be tourist destinations in Mexico such as Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.
The news is the latest in a series of announcements highlighting the growth of air travel in Tulsa. A new $2.3 million, 3,100 square foot airport lounge was announced in December 2023, and construction of a new air traffic control tower could begin sometime next year. A new airport hotel opened in mid-december, and Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust announced it has approved plans to build a convenience store on-site at the airport.
“The convenience store will serve passengers who need to fill fuel tanks before returning their rental cars,” the trust stated. “It will also be a handy option for the thousands of people who work at or around the airport, and those who live in the surrounding neighborhoods. Construction of the convenience store is scheduled to begin in April 2024.” (La Semana)