By Sam Parsons

The South Central Regional Airport Agency held a meeting yesterday for the first time since October 2025 to seek guidance from the city councils of Oskaloosa and Pella regarding the future of the airport project.

To date, the SCRAA has acquired 378 acres of the approximately 600 acres needed for the regional airport, but staff said that based on their legislative authority, they believe it would be difficult to acquire the remaining property needed for the project, which has been on hold since July of 2024, when Mahaska County withdrew from the partnership.

Oskaloosa city councilmember Bob Drost, who is a part of the SCRAA board, said that his support for the agricultural community doesn’t clash with his support of the project.

Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt also expressed disappointment regarding the outlook of the project, calling it a “missed opportunity.”

No official decision regarding the project was made, but the Oskaloosa and Pella city councils were urged to give direction on it as soon as possible. The Oskaloosa city council’s next meeting is scheduled for May 18, while the Pella city council will meet on May 19.