The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently announced a $110 million initiative to enhance 70 airports across the United States. The funds are aimed at improving capacity and safety by modernizing airport and runway infrastructure, creating jobs, and enhancing airfield safety in 32 states.
According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), these funds are supported by the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program. This program is one of three aviation initiatives established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and aligns with President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The law has allocated $15 billion over five years for this program. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is set to receive the largest grant from this funding, amounting to $43 million for the construction of a new end-around taxiway.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, "The Biden-Harris Administration is proud to support projects to increase safety and efficiency on taxiways and runways at over 70 airports across the country." He further added, "This is another good step in a multi-billion dollar modernization we're delivering through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make America's aviation systems safer and more efficient."
The primary objective of the FAA is to prioritize safety before, during, and after flights, as per the news release. The $110 million will be used to enhance firefighting capabilities including an allocation of $8.6 million for Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan; refurbish snow-removal equipment with an allocation of $881,000 for Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall Airport/Ryan Field in Marshall, Minnesota; and construct taxiways at various airports nationwide.
Shannetta R. Griffin, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports stated that "These grants help airports across the nation sustain and improve critical infrastructure to advance the safest, most efficient airport system in the world."
As per the news release, airports across the country have received approximately $9 billion through AIG funding. Airports will have until the end of fiscal year 2025 to utilize the funds that have been allocated to them.
