The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is to award US$677m in infrastructure grants to US airports, marking the first allotment of the US$3.18bn Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports in the country.
This round of grants will provide funding to 214 airports in 43 states. The AIP will create 241 grants to fund 346 infrastructure projects that include runways, taxiways, aprons, and terminals.
Airports can get a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
Some of the grant recipients include Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah, which will receive US$16.3m to repair the apron area on the airport where aircraft park; Denver International Airport, Colorado, which will be awarded US$14.2m to fund projects to repair runways, taxiways, and runway and taxiway lighting; and King Salmon Airport, Alaska, which is to receive US$12.8m to repair the runway and taxiway. This project is important to the local community, which mainly uses air transportation as their form of travel moving people and goods and services.
Elaine L Chao, US Department of Transportation Secretary, said, “If you want a strong transportation system, you have to invest in airport infrastructure. Airports are the backbone of aviation. These communities are going to reap greater safety, efficiency, and economic dividends for years to come.”