Pete HahnloserThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making $566.4 million in grants available to upgrade airports in 47 states.
This funding, the ninth round for fiscal year 2024, is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocates $15 billion to the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program as part of $25 billion overall for improvements to airport and air traffic control infrastructure. AIG funds can be used for projects such as planning, development, sustainability initiatives, terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety improvements and noise compatibility projects at qualifying airports.
“We’re helping ensure traveler safety by upgrading every part of airfield operations, from better runway and taxiway configuration to vivid signage, better lighting, and improved pavement markings,” FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin said.
Airports receiving funding include:
- $49.6 million to Kailua/Kona Ellison Onizuka Kona International at Keahole, Hawaii: Rehabilitation of Runway 17/35 to enhance safety.
- $45.4 million to Seattle-Tacoma International: Structural, seismic and building system upgrades to Concourse S to meet design standards.
- $43.3 million at Charlotte/Douglas International in North Carolina: Construction of a deicing pad, taxiways, aircraft parking areas, grading and drainage, lighting and signage to meet current FAA standards.
- $34.6 million to Louisville Muhammad Ali International in Kentucky: Expansion of the existing terminal by 31,049 square feet, including a TSA checkpoint, solar microgrid and emergency generator.
- $20.6 million to Harry Reid International in Las Vegas: Replacement of elevators to improve safety and enhance Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
- $20.1 million to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International: Rehabilitation of taxiways and taxilanes to improve safety.
- $18.2 million to Sacramento International in California: Reconstruction of a pedestrian walkway to enhance safety.
- $13.5 million to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International: Installation of a new people mover system for the terminal.
- $8.2 million to Moline Quad Cities International in Illinois: Expansion of the existing terminal by 14,116 square feet to facilitate the movement of passengers and baggage to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
The full list of projects being funded for fiscal 2024 is available here. So far, about $9 billion of the total $15 billion in AIG grants has been awarded.
“The funding we’re announcing today, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help airports across the country make needed improvements to ensure safety, efficiency and sustainability for years to come,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
Nearly half of the country’s 3,000 airports have been awarded grants. Airports that have already finished projects financed by the AIG include:
- $4.3 million to Asheville Regional in North Carolina: Expansion of a terminal building to accommodate passenger demand.
- $8.4 million to Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico: This grant constructed 40,560 square yards of an Air Cargo apron to improve and expand capacity for supply chains.
- $24.1 million to San Diego International: First phase of construction of a new taxiway to eliminate the need for an aircraft to back-taxi on the runway to improve safety and efficiency.
