TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Terre Haute Regional Airport officials said that this year was one of their best years ever and that their future projects are going to keep them on that upward trajectory.
Its executive director Craig Maschino said that they have a lot to proud of when looking back at 2024 with it being headlined by the Terre Haute Air Show. He was happy to announce that the Terre Haute Air Show will be making its return in 2026.
“We are going to have another air show on 22-23 August,” said Maschino. “It will be in the fall and not the spring so it will be nice weather wise, be dryer, and have better weather for both days of the show. The most exciting part is that we are bringing the Air Force back, the Thunderbirds.”
Another item on the agenda was the board’s announcement that the bidding process will begin next week for six new hangers with hopes of starting construction in the spring. Also Wednesday, Indiana State Senator Greg Goode was named Aviation Indiana’s Senator of the Year.
Maschino said that Goode has been nothing short of a great ally for them in the state house, helped pass numerous positive initiatives, and helped save airports across the state thousands of dollars.
“Originally these things weren’t included for airports, but he made that happen,” said Maschino. “These initiatives alone we are talking multiple thousands of dollars on these things that he has saved for communities.”
Maschino said the thing he is most excited about is the fact that the airport got a $500,000 grant from the state to build a solar farm. He added they will use revenue earned from that to launch aviation classes through the Vigo County School Corporation.
“We are looking at those classes starting in the fall of 2025,” said Maschino. “High school juniors and seniors will be able to come out to the airport and take classes in aviation.”
He said that he hopes this program will grow the aviation field in the community.
“We want those young men and women going to those classes and bringing business here so we can grow the airport and create more good aviation jobs,” said Maschino.
Maschino added that the airport has a budget of $18,000,000 over 5 years for these projects.
