U.S. airports to receive $1.2 billion in safety and infrastructure grants

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Elaine L. Chao, has announced that the Trump Administration will award more than $1.2 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The funding will be distributed to 405 airports across 50 states and the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Palau and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Chao said: “This $1.2 billion federal investment will improve our nation’s airport infrastructure, enhance safety and strengthen growth in local communities, which is especially important as the economy recovers from COVID-19.”

The total includes over $1 billion from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and $152 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants to equal a 100 per cent federal share. A complete listing of safety and infrastructure grants and an interactive map of airports receiving funding is currently available on the FAA website. 

The grants will be used for a variety of critical infrastructure and safety projects, including: Purchasing aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment; constructing runways and taxiways; repairing runways and taxiways; installing aircraft lighting and signage; conducting airport master plan studies; and installing airport perimeter fencing.

Since January 2017, the Trump Administration has delivered $13.5 billion to U.S. airports to improve infrastructure and safety. In 2020, the Administration has delivered $10 billion in economic assistance to America’s airports during the COVID-19 public health emergency.