VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Starting at 5:30 p.m. today, April 24, the Valdosta City Council will vote to accept a grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation to replace the General Aviation Terminal Building at the Valdosta Regional Airport.

Valdosta’s new general aviation terminal will be moving the terminal away from the runway, increasing the opportunity for more charter flights, creating meeting spaces, and even an area for families and travelers alike to enjoy takeoff.

“Our accommodations are great now, but as you can see, they are a little dated so by modernizing, we are going to be able to attract a new customer base and add more capacity to bring in more on the general aviation side,” said Tim Hood, Executive Director of Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority.

The push to modernize Valdosta Regional Airport began nearly two years ago with the replacement of the 76-year-old air traffic control tower.

“It’s going to be about 70 feet high, and it’s going to give the air traffic control team all the modern safety features, all the modern electronics and technology to better direct the airplanes coming in and out so we can upgrade them there, and modernization is the key there, said Hood.

For local travelers like Jamie Foster-Hill, who appreciate the ease and convenience of Valdosta Airport, the hope is that growth will bring more traffic, which will effect change on the commercial side as well.

“More airlines would definitely be more feasible due to the simple fact that there are literally three different times you can travel out of Valdosta — first thing in the morning, around lunch time, and early afternoon. And a lot of those connecting flights when you head back to Valdosta are late. So that would definitely be a plus," said Foster-Hill.

“Commercial has future plans on the other side of the airfield, and we have room for another jet bridge and airline over there,” said Hood.

The timeline for the new general aviation terminal project has not been set. But the air traffic control tower is scheduled to be complete in October 2025.

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