(KAIR)--A nearly decade-long project at Atchison’s Amelia Earhart Airport has reached a major milestone, with the airport’s new runway now open for daytime flights.

The City of Atchison, through a social media post, announced the runway is available for daytime use as the FAA completes final lighting and instrument checks. Once those checks are finished, the runway can become fully operational for nighttime flights as well.

The project represents nearly 10 years of active work at the Atchison airport.

With daytime operations now underway, pilots are once again being welcomed to Amelia Earhart Airport, along with its remodeled FBO office and the nearby Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.

Officials say completion of the remaining FAA checks will mark the final step toward full operation of the new runway.