N E W S
US AIRPORTS GET US$1.3BN
BOOST FOR TERMINAL
AND RUNWAY IMPROVEMENTS
Airports throughout the USA were allocated
US$1.3 billion of government funding last
month for improvement works including
the reconstruction and building of
runways, aprons and terminals.
The US$1.3 billion is the first two tranches of
funding from the latest US$3.18 billion that the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving to airports
under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
Airports in the USA receive a certain amount
of funding each year based on their
activity levels and infrastructure
requirements. In 2018, US$3.31
billion was allocated under the AIP for
airport improvements.
The latest funding will be spent
on 739 projects in 708 airports
which vary in size and value,
from US$65 million for runway
construction at Chicago O’Hare
to US$150,000 to construct a
new building at Alabaster Airport in
Shelby, Alabama.
In May, the FAA also announced that
Grants are allocated
to increase airports’
safety, emergency
response capabilities
and their capacity
an additional US$779 million of funding
was being made available this year to support
infrastructure improvements at 127 smaller,
regional airports.
The grants are allocated to increase airports’
safety, emergency response capabilities and
their capacity as well as to support economic
growth in each airport’s region. US Department of
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said, “This
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significant investment in airport improvements will fund
construction and rehabilitation projects that will help
maintain high levels of safety in US aviation.”
According to the FAA there are 3,332 airports in
the USA and 5,000 paved runways.
Shelly Simi, president and CEO of the National
Association of State Aviation Officials said, “We
support the Administration’s focus on small and
rural airport infrastructure and believe that continued
investment in general aviation is paramount.
Our members are grateful to Congress
for making this funding possible and
look forward to working with FAA and
Department of Transportation on future
AIP supplemental funding.”
Airports that receive AIP funding
have to ensure that they and the
businesses on them, such as
FBOs, charge reasonable and
non-discriminatory fees and prices
to aviation users.
The senior vice president of
government affairs and advocacy
from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association, Jim Coon said, “We strongly
support the AIP program. It funds projects at
airports of all sizes. Airports are economic engines
and gateways for many towns and communities and
serve as a lifeline during disaster relief efforts, search
and rescue, and other important functions. AIP funds
help improve our nation’s airport ecosystem while
addressing the demands and challenges we face
today and in the future.”
Santa Barbara Municipal
Airport in California
is receiving US$2.6
million from the Airport
Improvement Program
for security and terminal
building improvements