City officials have announced that Detroit’s Coleman A. Young International Airport (KDET) will undergo a major renovation for the first time in over 50 years. 

The City of Detroit has granted Avflight a 30-year lease to invest in the airport's amenities, services, and security. Avflight, an aviation operating company based in Detroit and Ann Arbor, has provided essential services to KDET since 2011. Under this long-term lease, Avflight will be the sole fixed-base operator company, a historic milestone for the airport. 

Avflight's upcoming investment involves the construction of a 3,000 sq. ft. terminal and a 15,000 sq. ft. hangar, set to begin this summer. Additionally, the City of Detroit will receive funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to facilitate other renovations in the airport as part of a 20-year development plan. The airport is set to undergo extensive upgrades, including ramp repavement, runway renovation, new control tower installation, and an $8.1 million safety system.

Avflight will also expand its staff and service offerings within the airport. In line with a commitment to sustainable aviation, Avflight will install electric charging stations for aircraft and other vehicles within the FBO network, a significant step towards a greener future. The airport is also home to Airspace Experience Technologies, which develops electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These developments position KDET as a leader in shaping Detroit’s future through sustainable technological innovation.

Through these public and private sector investments, the City of Detroit is not just renovating an airport, but transforming KDET into a state-of-the-art aviation facility. This transformation is set to foster economic growth and open up new opportunities for Detroit residents.