Runway Closure Means Fewer Planes Over Oak Creek

If you've noticed fewer planes flying over Oak Creek lately, there's a reason for it.

The north-south runway is closed until August, which means most air traffic is using the east-west runway, Mitchell Airport spokeswoman Pat Rowe said.

And, consequently, fewer planes are coming in from the north and south to land at Mitchell.

The runway is closed to accommodate construction of a runway safety area, Rowe said. It is expected to reopen Aug. 20.

The opposite was the case last year, when the east-west runway was shut down and more planes used the north-south runway.