FAA invests to build safer, more accessible airports across the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than $608 million to build safer, more accessible airports serving a wide swath of the country. The first round of 2022 Airport Improvement Programme (AIP) grants will go to 441 airports located in big cities, small towns, and everywhere in between across 46 states, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This funding is in addition to the $20 billion the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests in U.S. airports.

“In communities of all sizes, airports are vital to regional economies, sustaining jobs and getting people and goods where they need to go,” commented U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These Airport Improvement Programme grants will help make airports better, safer, and more accessible, so they can better serve people in every community for decades to come.” 

“We’re investing $608 million in airports across America so communities big and small can continue to safely and efficiently connect with the rest of the world,” said FAA Associate Administrator of Airports, Shannetta Griffin.

Examples of grants that will go to enhance safety at airports across the U.S. include:

• $13.46 million for Minneapolis-St. Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain (MSP), MN, to extend and improve the safety area, add taxiway lighting, reconstruct the taxiway and apron, and replace the airport lighting vault

• $8.57 million for Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU) in Morristown, NJ, to improve the Runway 5/23 safety area to enhance airport safety operations. This project consists of the installation of major drainage structures crossing Runway 5/23 and Taxiway A

• $7.54 million for Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) in Buffalo, NY, to rehabilitate 8,829 feet of the existing Runway 5/23 pavement and lighting system and reconstruct 63 airfield guidance signs. These projects will maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and lighting system and meet FAA standards

• $3.98 million for Jackson Municipal Airport (JAN) in Jackson, MN, to shift Runway 13/31, construct a parallel taxiway, and construct the new runway lighting system. These projects mitigate the safety risks of airplanes having to back-taxi on an active runway

• $18.8 million to Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa to rehabilitate a runway.

General aviation airports will receive more than half of these first grants, with 272 grants in amounts ranging from $38,680 to more than $4.6 million. General aviation airports are vital to communities and the aviation industry. They are where pilots are trained, emergency medical services take off and land, and rural communities are connected to daily commerce.

Grants to general aviation and community-serving airports include: 

• $4.15 million for the new Gallatin County Airport (BZN) in Sparta, KY, to fund the final phase of construction of this new general aviation airport to meet current demand. The grant will construct a new taxiway, install an airfield lighting vault, an airport rotating beacon, and airfield lighting

• $1.9 million for Robert Curtis Memorial Airport (ORV) in Noorvik, AK, to rehabilitate a runway

• Two grants totalling more than $1.29 million for Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP) in Bullhead City, AZ, to renovate the existing passenger terminal public restrooms within the existing footprint and reconstruct airfield guidance signs and the taxiway. Renovations will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements

• A $666,000 grant to Methow Valley State Airport in Winthrop, WA, to construct a heliport/helipad

• Four grants of $434,550 each to Grayling, Huslia, Bob Baker Memorial in Kiana, and Koyukuk airports in AK to purchase snow removal equipment

• A $36,000 grant to Devils Lake Regional Airport and a $45,000 grant to Jamestown Regional Airport (JMS), both in North Dakota, to purchase aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicles and safety equipment.

Other grant awards fund projects that demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equity and environmental sustainability include:

• $1 million for Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) in Gunnison, CO, to rehabilitate the existing terminal building restrooms, elevators, escalators, concession areas, security screening, and holding areas to meet current building codes and comply with ADA requirements

• $1.6 million for Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) in Montrose, CO, to expand its existing terminal building to comply with ADA requirements. This project also rehabilitates the existing terminal building restrooms, elevators, escalators, and security holding area

• $3.5 million for Alexandria International Airport in Alexandria, LA, to purchase 15 homes and relocate 40 residents adversely impacted by aircraft noise. This project will benefit owners and tenants living near the airport.