FAA to award infrastructure grants of $733.2 million to airports

On Sept. 14, 2017, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $264 million in airport infrastructure grants to 95 airports in 31 states across the United States as part of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This follows the announcements of grants totaling $318.1 million to 78 airports in 34 states on Sept. 8, 2017, and $151.1 million to 66 airports in 35 states on Sept. 7, 2017. The total AIP grants announced between Sept. 7, 2017, and Sept. 14, 2017, is $733.2 million.

“The Airport Improvement Program helps to maintain our aviation infrastructure and supports safety, capacity, security and environmental improvements,” said Secretary Chao. “[These are] important investment[s] in these airports and the economic vitality of their respective communities.”

The AIP funds various airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting, and markings.

To date this year, the USDOT has announced more than 1,660 new grants to some 1,360 airports for a total of $3 billion. These grants provide funds for 681 runway projects and 588 taxiway projects that are important to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s airports.

Airports receive a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.

The press release announcing the Sept. 14, 2017, grants, which includes a list of the airports receiving funding, can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/2wqXnQY. The Sept. 8, 2017, press release announcing grants can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2xbGZRx, and the Sept. 7, 2017, press release announcing grants can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2xcyQME. The Sept. 8 and Sept. 7 press releases also include a list of airports receiving funds.