05/21/2026
The McAlester Regional Airport will welcome the community for a day of family-friendly activities, aviation excitement, and tours of the new terminal during a Community Open House and Fly-In event on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the airport terminal and is free and open to the public.
The open house will feature inflatables, free hot dogs, terminal tours, and opportunities for residents to learn more about the airport and aviation in southeast Oklahoma. Free hot dogs are expected to begin being served around 11 a.m. and will be available while supplies last. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will participate in the event by providing promotional items and free frozen custard for attendees during the open house.
The airport will also welcome members of the Oklahoma Pilots Association as pilots from across the state fly into McAlester for a special Fly-In gathering. A fly-in is an aviation event where pilots travel by aircraft to a designated airport to gather, socialize, and connect with fellow aviation enthusiasts. Organizers expect approximately 10 participating aircraft and visiting pilots from across Oklahoma for the event.
“This event is about opening the doors of the airport to the community and giving people an opportunity to experience aviation up close,” said McAlester Regional Airport Manager Eric Suski. “Whether someone is passionate about aviation or simply looking for a fun family activity, we want residents to come out, explore the terminal, meet visiting pilots, and learn more about the role the airport plays in serving McAlester and the surrounding region.”
“The Oklahoma Pilots Association is excited to bring aviators from across the state to McAlester and support an event that celebrates community aviation and local airports,” said Lance Boxer, President of the Oklahoma Pilots Association. “Events like this are a great reminder of how important community airports are to Oklahoma — not only for aviation, but for economic development, emergency response, and connecting communities.”
The McAlester Regional Airport has served the community since the early 1950s. Over the decades, the airport hosted a variety of commercial airline services, including Central Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Metro Airlines, connecting McAlester to cities such as Dallas, Kansas City and Tulsa.
Though scheduled passenger service ended in the early 1990s, the airport has remained a vital hub for general aviation, flight training, corporate travel and emergency services. Today, the airport stands as the only jet-capable airport within a 50-nautical-mile radius, with more than 30 based aircraft and an estimated economic impact of more than $11 million annually.
Airport officials said the event is also intended to introduce more residents to the airport and encourage greater community engagement with local aviation opportunities and programs.
In addition to the fly-in activities, community members will have the opportunity to tour the airport terminal, meet local pilots and aviation supporters, and learn more about aviation-related programs connected to the airport. Organizers are also coordinating additional educational and historical displays as part of the event experience.
The airport’s new 4,500-square-foot terminal is the first major construction project completed at the airport in more than a decade and reflects the strength of local partnerships and the continued growth and promise of McAlester’s future.
