The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission has approved the 2010-2012 capital improvement program.

The three-year capital improvement program provides financial allocations to Oklahoma airports for capital projects including runway maintenance and construction, installation of navigational aids, land purchases and installation and repair of airfield lights and signage.

According to state aviation officials, roughly half of the 30 approved projects are more than $1 million, requiring both federal and state funding to complete. Nearly $44 million in federal, state and local matches will be spent on the various projects throughout the three-year period.

"Investing in our state's public airports is critical to ensuring that our citizens have access to a safe, reliable system of airports," said Victor Bird, commission director. "Those airports are economic lifelines for communities all across Oklahoma, providing local businesses with an efficient mode of travel with which to transact commerce. They also serve as lifelines for numerous individuals who rely on general aviation aircraft to transport them to hospitals and emergency care centers across the state and nation. "

Two of the planned projects - Alva Regional Airport and Thomas P. Stafford Airport in Weatherford - are runway extensions.

Once completed, runways at both airports will be 5,100 feet in length, which would then be able to accommodate most business jet traffic.