Final Beam Raised on Tulsa International Airport’s New International Customs Facility

TULSA, OK – May 8, 2025 – The final steel beam was raised today on Tulsa International Airport’s new International Customs Facility, marking a major milestone in the project that will allow commercial air carriers to offer nonstop international flights out of TUL for the first time. To commemorate the occasion, the airport hosted a traditional “Topping Out” ceremony.

The new 45,000-square-foot addition to the existing terminal is expected to be completed in late 2025, with operations beginning as early as Spring 2026.

Narrate Design (formerly Selser Schaefer Architects), a Tulsa-based firm, provided design services for the project. Flintco serves as the construction contractor. The ceremony featured remarks from Alexis Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust; Tyler Sappington, Project Manager at Narrate Design; and Dave Kollmann, President of the Central Region at Flintco.

“Today’s topping out ceremony represents more than just a construction milestone, it’s a symbol of the growth and opportunity ahead for Tulsa,” said Alexis Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust. “With this new facility, we will soon be opening the door to convenient international travel options that our community has long been asking for.”

The International Customs Facility is designed to provide a seamless experience for travelers flying nonstop to TUL’s top international destinations, such as Mexico and the Caribbean. Currently, an average of 115 passengers travel from Tulsa to Mexico each day. Mexico accounts for 32% of TUL’s daily international traffic, the highest share of any country. Tulsa International Airport is actively working to secure nonstop international service to these top international destinations through both domestic and international carriers.

The total project cost for design and construction is $41 million and is being funded by Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust and grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. For more information on this project, visit http://www.propeltul.com.

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About Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust: Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT) administers, manages and operates Tulsa International Airport (TUL) and Tulsa Riverside Airport (RVS), both of which are owned by the City of Tulsa. TAIT’s mission is to provide a safe, efficient, self-supporting airport system for the citizens of the Tulsa metropolitan area and surrounding region.

About Tulsa International Airport Tulsa International Airport (TUL) is dedicated to providing a seamless, friendly, and accessible travel experience for all passengers. Known for its customer-centric approach and forward-thinking initiatives, TUL connects travelers to destinations across the globe while maintaining its commitment to the community it serves. Five air carriers offer nonstop service from TUL to 23 destinations across the country. In 2024, the airport served 3.24 million passengers. For more information, visit www.flytulsa.com.

This story was originally published on Fly Tulsa.