The mayor of Stephenville is hopeful that commercial airlines will begin servicing the airport in the new year.

The sale of the airport to the Dymond Group of Companies became official this past August.

Mayor Tom Rose says work is now underway to complete $3-million in upgrades to runway lighting. He hopes air traffic will resume shortly after.

Rose is hoping to have at least one major airline committed early in the new year with flights taking off in late spring or early summer. He says Stephenville offers big opportunities for air carriers, with an expected 50,000 people living in the airport’s vicinity in the near future.