DETROIT – The Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit, also known as the Detroit City Airport, is getting a multi-million-dollar upgrade.
City officials on Tuesday announced a 30-year lease agreement with its current fixed base operator Avflight, which provides “essential services to the airport’s flight operations” like fueling, ground handling and more. Through the agreement, Avflight will build a new terminal and a new hangar at the 300-acre airport on Detroit’s east side.
Construction on the new, “modern” terminal will begin this summer, officials said. The space is expected to span 3,000 square feet “at a minimum,” while the hangar is expected to take up 15,000 square feet.
“The structures will greatly enhance the airport’s amenities, services and security, making KDET an enticing option for transient visitors, airport tenants, charter operators and more,” the city said in a press release on Tuesday, May 28. Renderings of the new additions can be found above and below.
The airport currently has two runways, two terminals, 14 large hangars, and 129 small hangars.
The project is expected to cost millions of dollars. Detroit officials say it’s the “first significant initiative in 50 years to rejuvenate” the city airport. Avflight recently carried out similar projects at airports in Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and Ypsilanti, among several others, the city said.
Avflight has been operating at the Detroit airport since 2011.
“[The new complex] will be a facility citizens can be proud of, and one that will support many livelihoods as we look to double our staff with an increase in traffic, expand our service offerings and provide greater educational opportunities on the airfield,” said Joe Meszaros, Avflight’s Vice President of Operations.
It was not said when the new complex was expected to be completed. The money for the new upgrades comes from federal funding following the FAA’s approval of a 20-year development plan for the airport, officials said.
Detroit officials said City Airport will also undergo a $1.2 million ramp pavement improvement project, and an $8.1 million safety feature known as an engineered material arresting system. Construction on a new control tower is expected to begin in 2026, as well.
A $3.5 million runway renovation was also recently completed.