Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is moving forward with plans to replace its 78-year-old air traffic control tower, a facility that has no elevator and aging mechanical systems. A $766,000 FAA grant will cover the design phase and relocation of technical equipment. Design is expected to take six to nine months, with construction potentially beginning next year if additional funding is secured.

The airport is also replacing its aging terminal elevator within about 60 days to maintain ADA accessibility, a small but important upgrade for travelers who need it. These improvements come as DFW International Airport raises parking fees and adds new charges for passenger pickup and drop-off, making the total cost of flying out of North Texas higher than ever.

For Waxahachie-area travelers, Tyler Pounds offers a smaller, easier alternative roughly two hours east. A new control tower and updated infrastructure could eventually mean more flights and more destinations from the regional airport. Would you consider flying out of Tyler instead of DFW to save money and skip the crowds? Let us know.