The London-Corbin Airport will use more than $18 million to repair tornado damage from last year and renovate its terminal.
The airport was hit by the 2025 tornado that ravaged London and Somerset, killing 19 people. Airport manager Matthew Singer said total damage to the facility was around $12 million.
The tornado destroyed seven hangar buildings and more than 20 aircraft. A taxiway was also damaged during the cleanup. Overall, the airport has 75 hangars.
“We're still operating at…some reduced revenue as far as hangar rent goes, a little bit reduced fuel sales, but the airport itself, other than putting those hangars back, we've been operating almost as normal,” Singer said.
The airport terminal will be updated to feel more modern.
“The terminal project has been discussed since at least 2014, to renovate the terminal,” Singer said.
The funding for the repairs and renovations come from a variety of sources. More than $6.5 million will be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the state legislature has given $4 million to support the efforts. Another $2 million is coming from federal funding. Other sources, including insurance proceeds, will also be used.
The renovations and repairs will be a boost for the community, Singer said, since the work will expand opportunities for emergency services to use the airport and create a welcoming gateway to Eastern Kentucky.
“If they walk in and see an aged terminal building like what we have, they might think the whole area is backwards, which isn't the case at all, so it'll make a good first impression,” Singer said.
