Major runway rehabilitation underway at North Big Horn County Airport

For the past two weeks, all flights in and out of the North Big Horn County Airport north of Cowley have been suspended while a major runway rehabilitation project is completed.

According to Paul Thur, Big Horn County Airport Manager and Land Planning Manager, the project is about halfway finished and should help keep the airport safe and operational for years to come.

The work involves milling off approximately 2.5 inches of aging pavement from the airport’s main runway and replacing it with a new asphalt overlay. The project scheduled for substantial completion by June 19.

The total cost of the project is $2,250,089. The Federal Aviation Administration is providing $2,137,585 through its Airport Improvement Program, while the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Big Horn County are each contributing $56,252.

While some residents may be surprised that the federal government is paying for most of the project, the airport is part of a nationwide aviation system supported by the FAA.

Public-use airports such as North Big Horn County Airport qualify for federal funding because they serve important transportation and public safety functions, even in rural communities. Although the airport does not offer commercial airline service, it supports emergency medical flights, agricultural aviation, business travel, flight training and recreational flying.

The airport can also play an important role during emergencies. Air ambulances, wildfire suppression aircraft and search-and-rescue operations often rely on smaller regional airports to serve rural areas.

The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program is funded primarily through aviation-related taxes on airline tickets, aviation fuel and air cargo. Those funds are distributed nationwide to help maintain safe runways, taxiways and other airport infrastructure.

Projects such as the current runway overlay are considered preventive maintenance. By repairing deteriorating pavement before major failures occur, airport officials can extend the life of the runway and avoid far more expensive reconstruction projects in the future.

According to state aviation planning documents, the airport handles approximately 4,175 takeoffs and landings each year. About 70 percent of those operations are local flights, including flight training and recreational aviation, while roughly 1,300 involve aircraft traveling to or from other airports.

The airport is home to approximately 10 based aircraft and serves residents of Cowley, Lovell, Byron and the surrounding area. Planning documents identify recreational and business aviation as the airport’s primary functions, with search-and-rescue operations serving as an important secondary role.

The airport is also known within the soaring community. Big Horn County’s airport website notes that glider activity is especially strong at the facility due to the favorable thermals and mountain lift created by the nearby Big Horn Mountains.

Although North Big Horn County Airport is not a military installation, aviation planners have long viewed the nation’s network of small airports as an important strategic asset. During natural disasters, major emergencies or national crises, civilian airports can provide valuable support for government, military and relief operations.

The last major improvement at the airport came in July 2025 with the dedication of a new pilot’s lounge. Funded through a combination of federal, state and local dollars, the project was the largest airport improvement completed in decades. County officials said the new facility would better serve visiting pilots and help support future growth at the airport.

When the current runway project is completed later this month, pilots will return to a smoother and safer landing surface. Local officials hope the investment will help ensure that North Big Horn County Airport continues serving the northern Big Horn Basin for decades to come.