“Infrastructure projects funded by these grants will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities,” Chao said.
Projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, construction of firefighting facilities, noise mitigation, emissions reduction and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increase the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities and capacity, and could support further economic growth and development within each airport’s region.
Airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports our economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. Under Chao’s leadership, the department is delivering AIP investments for the American people, who depend on reliable infrastructure.
Airports can 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.
Some of the grant awards in the Construction area include:
- Easton/Newnam Field Airport in Maryland received a grant for $5.6 million. The grant will fund the extension of a runway.
- Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland received a grant for $5 million. The grant will fund the extension of a runway.
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland received a grant for $9.9 million. The grant will fund the reconstruction of a taxiway.
- Greater Cumberland Regional Airport in Maryland received a grant for $5 million. The grant will fund the rehabilitation of a runway.
- Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina received a grant for $5.3 million. The grant will fund the acquirement of snow removal equipment, the expansion of an apron and security enhancements.
- Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in North Carolina received two grants for $12.9 million and $1.5 million. The grants will fund the expansion of an apron and improvements to a runway safety area.
- Concord-Padgett Regional Airport in North Carolina received two grants for $5.2 million and $589,000. The grants will fund the strengthening of an apron and acquirement of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle.
- Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field Airport in North Carolina received a grant for $11.5 million. The grant will fund the expansion of a terminal building.
- Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina received two grants for $9.3 million and $500,000. The grants will fund the rehabilitation of a runway and an update to the airport master plan study.
- Charleston AFB/International Airport in South Carolina received a grant for $12.5 million. The grant will fund the improvements to an access road.
- Greenville Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina received a grant for a total of $7.8 million. The grant will fund the acquirement of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle and the construction of an aircraft rescue and firefighting building.
- Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina received a grant for $12.1 million. The grant will fund the reconstruction of a taxiway.
- Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia received two grants for $6.7 million and $855,000. The grants will fund the reconstruction of a taxiway and VALE infrastructure.
- Richmond International Airport in Virginia received a grant for $8.5 million. The grant will fund the construction of a taxiway.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia received a grant for $4.9 million. The grant will fund the reconstruction of an apron.
