City steps in for displaced passengers overnight at regional airport

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Three planes were diverted to the Wichita Falls Regional Airport Tuesday night due to weather, but city PIO Chris Horgen said the City stepped in to help where it saw a need.

When storms cleared in the DFW area, officials said two of the planes could take off again. Mayor Tim Short said the third plane, however, had a broken navigation light and could not leave, meaning its occupants, flying from Birmingham, AL, had to stay the night.

But there was another problem. All the hotels were full. Several conventions in town meant every room was booked up. That’s when Mayor Tim Short said the city stepped in.

“We got a hold of our emergency management team. They showed up out here. Within 30 minutes, they were here with cots, with blankets, with water, with just about everything that these people will need to spend an unplanned night in an airport terminal in Wichita Falls, TX,” Mayor Short said via Facebook.

Along with WF Emergency Management, the mayor said the WF Fire Department and multiple city counselors were on hand to help. Short quoted an adage when recounting the night.

“We’ve got folks taken care of for the evening. This is an amazing city. It is ‘the city that faith built.’ We take care of our own, and we take care of everybody else. So, I love this city,” Mayor Short said.