LOVINGTON, N.M. (AP) - A southeastern New Mexico county has approved more than $5 million in upgrades to an airport in the heart of New Mexico's booming oil region.

The Hobbs News-Sun reports the Lea County Commission gave the green light last week to improvements to the Lea County Regional Airport - most funded by federal and state grants.

The improvements call for doubling the expansion of the holding area for flight patrons and renovating the apron area on the airside of the terminal. They also including upgrading a runway safety area and extending the primary runway.

Officials say increased ridership is spurring the recommended improvements.

The Lea County Regional Airport is located in Hobbs - a key city in the booming Permian Basin.

Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com

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