“Airports serve as a lifeline for communities across the nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “Modernizing our infrastructure in a way that creates jobs, ensures safety, combats climate change, and fosters equity is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. These airport improvement grants will help airports across the country better serve their communities.”
AIP projects promote safety, efficiency, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, and security at the nation’s airports. The grant announcement includes 449 grants to 390 airports in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and the Federated States of Micronesia. One of the grants was given to Newtok Airport in Newtok, Alaska, for over $21.1 million.
The grant will provide funds for construction of a new replacement airport in Newtok, Alaska. The project is critical to the airport and to the village of Newtok, which is home to an Alaska Native community of 374 residents. The airport and the community will relocate to higher ground because the ground surrounding the airport and village is eroding. The residents depend solely on aviation to transport people, goods, mail, medicine, and other essential services. The replacement airport project and the relocation of village residents is scheduled for completion in 2023.
“These grants are an investment in safety and continued innovation,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “Every airport in every community plays a vital role in our air transportation system.”
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Historically, the AIP grant program receives approximately $3.2 billion in Congressional funding each year. The FAA will award more than 1,500 grants this year.
