Dayton International Airport

Master Plan



Mapping the Future

The Dayton International Airport (DAY) is a vital resource for the greater Dayton area and the state of Ohio. Located in Montgomery County and owned by the City of Dayton, the airport holds a permanent place in the history of aviation. Sharing its home with the Wright Brothers and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, it is the third largest airport in the state. With the Master Plan, we have mapped out plans for future growth and economic development over the next 20 years.


To the right, you’ll find documents and graphs about the details, phases, and status of the Master Plan. For questions and media inquiries, please fill out the contact form and a team member will connect with you.

"Our overarching goal of this study is to determine how the Dayton International Airport can be best positioned to provide safe, reliable, and efficient aeronautical operations while accommodating the growing and changing local and regional demands. We want to be an asset to your community and the region as a whole."

- Gil B. Turner C.M. Director of Aviation, Dayton International Airport
Dayton International Airport

What is a Master Plan?


A Master Plan is a study used to determine the long-term development plans for an airport, addressing the development needs for a 20-year time period. The Master Plan process provides opportunities for political entities and the public to participate in the development of aviation plans. It provides a framework for individual development programs consistent with short, intermediate, and long-range airport system and financial requirements.
Dayton International Airport

What are the Goals?


  • Provide a roadmap for future decision-making
  • Develop plans to continue to adhere to FAA guidelines
  • Minimize impacts to the surrounding airspace
  • Decrease environmental impacts
  • Prepare terminal facilities to address aircraft fleet changes and future aviation demand
  • Improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability
Dayton International Airport

Why is a Plan Necessary?


The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires commercial service airports to re-examine their Master Plan every 7 to 10 years to account for industry changes. The last Master Plan was completed in 2008 and hinged on significant cargo and aviation activity. In the last 12 years, the aviation industry has seen drastic changes and improvements. This Master Plan reviews the past as well as the future to determine what the airport will look like and how it will function.

"If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true really is true, then there would be little hope for advance."


- Orville Wright


Technical Advisory Committee


The Technical Advisory Committee is comprised of key stakeholders of the airport facility. The committee is responsible for providing valuable input to the planning team on operational issues at the airport, mostly focusing on operations within the airport fence.


Technical Advisory Committee

Meeting 1: Kickoff and SWOT Analysis


Friday, Oct 23, 2020 at 3 PM

Meeting #1 introduces what a Master Plan includes and why it is being undertaken. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is conducted. The overall planning process and general timeframes are also discussed.

Technical Advisory Committee

Meeting 2: Inventory and Forecast Review


Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 3 PM

Meeting #2 presents findings of the SWOT analysis and the airport facilities inventory to create the base work for comparison in future meetings. A high-level discussion of the forecasting effort will be discussed to include airport activity, including passenger enplanements and operations as well as cargo and general aviation operations.

Technical Advisory Committee

Meeting 3: Demand Capacity and Facility Requirements


Tuesday, June 21, 2021 at 1:30 PM

Meeting #3 reviews the forecasted demand and facility needs to compare with the existing inventory and infrastructure available for aviation use. Items include various airside elements (runways, taxiways, aprons, and navigational aids) as well as landside elements (automobile access and parking, roadways and terminal needs).

Technical Advisory Committee

Meeting 4: Capital Improvement and Layout Plan


Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022 at 10:30 AM

Meeting #4 presents the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) - a graphic depiction of proposed improvements to the airport and the breakdown of the development into the three phases of the Airport Capital Improvement Plan. The plan will focus on the short-term development (0-5 years), mid-term development (6-10 years), and long-term development (10-20 years). The ALP is the second most critical element of the master planning process that is submitted to the FAA for concurrence.


Regional Advisory Committee


The Regional Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from the City of Dayton and the surrounding municipalities and jurisdictions. The committee is responsible for providing regional guidance, primarily outside the airport fence. They cover topics about regional law changes and as well as changes to the airport that can provide a positive economic impact to the surrounding jurisdictions.


Regional Advisory Committee

Meeting 1: Kickoff and SWOT Analysis


Friday, Oct 23, 2020 at 1 PM

Meeting #1 introduces what a Master Plan includes and why it is being undertaken from a regional perspective. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is conducted with committee members from multiple jurisdictions around the airport to gain additional insight.

Regional Advisory Committee

Meeting 2: Inventory and Forecast Review


Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 1:30 PM

Meeting #2 presents findings of the SWOT analysis and the airport facilities inventory to create the base work for comparison in future meetings. A high-level discussion of the forecasting effort will be discussed to include airport activity, including passenger enplanements and operations as well as cargo and general aviation operations.

Regional Advisory Committee

Meeting 3: Demand Capacity and Facility Requirements


Tuesday, June 21, 2021 at 1:30 PM

Meeting #3 reviews the forecasted demand and facility needs of the airport and compares it with the existing inventory and infrastructure. The focus will be on landside elements like automobile access and parking as well as roadways and terminals. A high-level overview of various airside elements like runways, taxiways, and aprons will also be discussed.

Regional Advisory Committee

Meeting 4: Alternatives and Environmental Review


Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022 at 10:30 AM

Meeting #4 presents the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) – a graphic depiction of proposed improvements to the airport and the breakdown of the development into the three phases of the Airport Capital Improvement Plan. The three-phased approach includes short-term development (0-5 years), mid-term development (6-10 years) and long-term development (10-20 years). The ALP is the second most critical element of the master planning process that is submitted to the FAA for concurrence.


Public Workshop Information


The public is invited to attend a Public Workshop to learn about future development and modernization of the Dayton International Airport (DAY). The workshop will concentrate on the existing facilities and areas for improvement as well as how to develop the airport to meet the Master Plan requirements.


Public Workshop

Workshop: Airport Layout Plan


Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022, 4 PM - 7 PM


Have a question or need more information? Please fill out the form below and a team member will get back with you.