TULSA, OKLA – August 16, 2025 – In celebration of National Aviation Day, Tulsa International Airport (TUL) welcomed a group of aviation influencers and enthusiasts for a VIP planespotting experience on Saturday morning, offering rare, up-close access near the airport’s main runway.
National Aviation Day is observed each year on August 19 to celebrate the history and development of aviation in the United States. Established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the holiday coincides with the birthday of Orville Wright, one of the Wright brothers who pioneered powered flight.
To mark the occasion early, guests spent the morning capturing photos and videos of aircraft arrivals and departures from a secure location near Runway 18L/36R, TUL’s main, 10,000-foot runway. The airport’s Marketing, Operations and ARFF (Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting) team hosted the event, which featured a full catered breakfast and gift bags filled with branded items. Attendees also enjoyed a drone demonstration from TUL’s Ops team and a tour of the ARFF station.
“TUL continues to establish its footprint as one of the friendliest airports for aviation enthusiasts,” said Connor McCauley, a TUL planespotter and event attendee. “I’ve been plane spotting at TUL since I was 8 years old – the thrill of getting up close with the action was a dream, and now a reality thanks to TUL’s generosity!”
The Tulsa-area content creators and photographers who collectively have more than 300,000 followers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, regularly share aviation content and shine a spotlight on activity at TUL year-round. Many are local planespotters who visit the airport in all weather conditions to document takeoffs and landings, often engaging with global aviation communities online.
“This was a fun way to celebrate Aviation Day and thank our most passionate supporters,” said Kim Kuehler, Communications Manager at Tulsa International Airport. “Their creativity and dedication help promote not only TUL, but the broader world of aviation to a growing audience. This is increasingly important as the Aviation and Aerospace industry continues to grow in Oklahoma. These influencers are getting young people interested in aviation through their striking photography.”
Media assets can be downloaded here: TUL Aviation Day Event Dropbox Link.
About Tulsa International Airport: Tulsa International Airport (TUL) is dedicated to providing a seamless, friendly, and accessible travel experience for all passengers. Known for its customer-centric approach and forward-thinking initiatives, TUL connects travelers to destinations across the globe while maintaining its commitment to the community it serves. Five air carriers offer nonstop service from TUL to 23 destinations across the country. In 2024, the airport served 3.24 million passengers. For more information, visit www.flytulsa.com
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