The Department of Transportation announced $870 million in Airport Improvement Program funding for infrastructure projects across 44 states and two U.S. territories, the agency said, on Aug. 4.
Projects include runway improvements, safety upgrades and family-friendly infrastructure enhancements. The Federal Aviation Administration simultaneously certified the funding allocations.
The investment reaches airports of all sizes, from major commercial hubs handling millions of passengers to general aviation facilities in rural communities, DOT said. Airport infrastructure investment is a bipartisan congressional priority.
More than 900 million passengers use the U.S. aviation system annually, and airport infrastructure directly affects safety, capacity and the traveler experience. Runway and taxiway improvements funded through the program help prevent accidents and reduce delays.
The Airport Improvement Program has been one of the federal government’s primary tools for maintaining and upgrading the nation’s airport infrastructure for decades. Funding is distributed through a formula that accounts for passenger traffic, cargo volume and other factors.
Rural airports, which often serve as economic lifelines for remote communities, are among the program’s beneficiaries. General aviation facilities also receive funding for safety improvements and infrastructure maintenance.