After a month long closure, the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony this past Thursday. Representatives from Moscow, Pullman, Latah County, Whitman County and US Congress were in attendance, including U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rogers and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. Also in attendance were representative from Alaska Airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The project began in 2016 to bring the runway up to FAA design standards. The 7,100 foot runway was completed after a 3 year long project. Over 300 employees worked on this project and 8 million cubic yards were moved to build this new runway.

The $154 million project was funded by multiple government agencies including Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, University of Idaho and Washington State University. The Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport Director, Tony Bean, said the airport is a vital connection to the rest of the world. It has been a challenge bringing the airport up to the FAA design standards but credits its success to the team of people who have worked on it.

The new runway includes a new instrument landing system that will help pilots in poor conditions and reduce cancellations of flights. The new runway includes a protection zone that encroached onto WSU Property. To make room for the new runway, Tukey Orchard had to be moved.

WSU football greats will be given subtle shout outs by the FAA. There are 5 character call letters for each of the FAA plate fixes on the instrument approaches. Those will include WAZOO, MAAYZ, RYPEN, UTLEE, and PLUUR after Rueben Mayes, Mark Rypien, Mike Utley and various members of the Pelluer Family.

While there have been challenges and even naysayers the new runway is complete. The first passenger flight arrived from Seattle on October 11th at 10:30 am.