Port lays groundwork for Pangborn’s future with new infrastructure projects

EAST WENATCHEE — The Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority is moving forward with a series of infrastructure upgrades and long-term planning efforts at Pangborn Memorial Airport as airport leaders prepare for continued growth and future expansion opportunities.

During its May 12 meeting, the Port approved several airport-related actions tied to fueling infrastructure, security planning and the airport’s long-range capital improvement plan.

One of the most immediate projects involves upgrades to Pangborn’s fueling and fuel inventory systems.

The project includes new fuel tanks, a new fueling pad, electronic monitoring systems and stormwater improvements near the airport’s general aviation terminal.

Nick Rohrbach said the upgrades are intended to modernize how the airport tracks and manages aviation fuel inventory, replacing much of the airport’s current paper-based tracking system with electronic monitoring and automated reporting.

Port CEO Jim Kuntz said Pangborn now moves millions of dollars in aviation fuel annually, making more accurate inventory monitoring increasingly important as airport activity grows.

“We spend three or four million dollars on aviation fuel,” Kuntz said. “It’s a big number and we want to have really good inventory control.”

Commissioners approved moving the fueling modernization project out to bid, with construction expected to begin later this year.

The Port also reviewed Pangborn’s updated Federal Aviation Administration capital improvement plan, which outlines major airport projects expected over the next several years.

Among the highest priorities discussed Tuesday was a long-planned snow removal equipment building intended to house the airport’s growing fleet of snow and maintenance vehicles.

Airport officials said existing facilities are already beyond capacity, particularly as the airport acquires newer and larger equipment required for winter operations.

Trent Moyers, director of airports for the Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, said the airport is also preparing for future paving projects, access control upgrades and additional long-term infrastructure needs.

The discussion also touched on emerging aviation technologies and the possibility of future remote tower operations at Pangborn.

Commissioners referenced a recent visit to a remote tower facility in Florida and discussed the possibility of eventually exploring a similar model locally, potentially in partnership with educational institutions and other airports.

While no formal action was taken on a remote tower system, commissioners agreed the topic warranted future workshop discussions as aviation technology continues evolving.

The broader capital plan reflects what commissioners described as a long-term effort to position Pangborn for future growth following several years of increasing passenger traffic and expanded air service opportunities.

“This is going to be a fairly slow go for Pangborn Airport for quite some time just living off of discretionary money,” Kuntz said while discussing the challenges of federal airport funding and competition for FAA grants.

Even so, commissioners repeatedly framed the airport’s current projects as foundational investments intended to support Pangborn’s long-term role as a growing regional transportation hub.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media