Gillette airport's runway repair project will cease commercial flights for month and a half

GILLETTE (WNE) — In the spring of 2026, the runway at the Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport will be undergoing a major repair that will put a pause on commercial flights for about a month and a half.

Airport Director Todd Chatfield said the runway is more than 40 years old. And despite its age, much of it is still in good shape, but there are some areas, nearly all on the north end of the runway, that need some work.

Engineers looked at the runway and determined which sections needed the most immediate attention.

The approximately $4 million project is 95% funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The state aeronautics commission will handle 2.5% of the cost, while the airport will pay for the remaining 2.5% using its passenger facility charge.

The passenger facility charge is a $4.50 fee added on to each plane ticket, and the airport uses it on many of the construction projects there.

The project is looking at a start date of April 15, 2026, with the goal of being open for Memorial Day.

The airport’s crosswind runway, which is shorter than its regular runway, will be able to accommodate most general aviation, including private pilots and air ambulance services. But this runway won’t be long enough for the larger planes, such as the commercial aircraft. And so for 45 days, commercial flights won’t be coming in or out of Gillette.

Replacing the whole runway in one go is “cost-prohibitive,” Chatfield said, and would have required shutting down commercial air service for four months. He estimated that this project only covers 18-20% of the runway.

This story was published on May 5, 2025.