For its third round of funding, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded US$770.8m in infrastructure grants for multiple airports across the USA. The latest round is part of the government’s overall US$3.18bn Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
This third increment provides 569 grants to 522 airports that will fund 949 infrastructure projects including terminals, runways, taxiways, aprons, aircraft rescue, firefighting vehicles, and snow removal equipment.
Elaine L Chao, secretary, US Department of Transportation, said, “These critical investments will support upgrading and modernizing airports across the country, which will enhance safety, improve the travel experience and strengthen local economies.”
According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, US civil aviation accounts for US$1.6tn in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Airports receive 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.