University of Oklahoma opens $17.2 million, 106-foot air traffic control tower at Max Westheimer Airport
Why It MattersReplacing a 52-foot facility with a purpose-built contract tower shows continued federal and state investment in general-aviation airport infrastructure, a segment that business aircraft operators depend on for access.
The University of Oklahoma celebrated the opening of a new $17.2 million air traffic control tower at Max Westheimer Airport in Norman on Wednesday. The tower stands 106 feet tall, more than double the height of the existing 52-foot facility. OU said it is the first fully new non-military air traffic control tower built in Oklahoma since the 1970s.
The six-story facility has 6,100 square feet of space, improved visibility for air traffic controllers and upgraded safety technology. It also gives controllers improved office space and fully meets the FAA's minimum equipment requirements for U.S. contract towers. The structure is designed to withstand winds of up to 130 mph, the university said.
The project received federal and state support, including more than $7 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Tom Cole in 2024. According to a 2026 state economic impact study, Max Westheimer Airport generates approximately $212 million annually and supports 1,227 local jobs. The new tower is expected to begin operations in early 2027.
