Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced $481 million in Federal Aviation Administration infrastructure grants for 191 projects at airports in 36 states and two territories on Sept. 3, on the eve of one of the year’s busiest travel weekends.
The grants cover runway improvements, terminal upgrades and safety infrastructure at airports across the country, according to the Department of Transportation. The investment spans all regions and includes airports of varying sizes.
The timing — one day before the Labor Day holiday travel surge — puts the announcement in front of millions of Americans preparing to fly. The Transportation Security Administration typically screens more than 2.5 million passengers daily during peak holiday periods.
The FAA grants are funded through the Airport Improvement Program, which distributes federal aviation trust fund revenues to airports for capital projects that enhance safety, capacity and environmental compliance.
For travelers, the funded projects address the physical infrastructure that determines whether flights depart on time, runways are safe and terminals can handle growing passenger volumes. Runway rehabilitation and safety area improvements are among the most common project types.
For the communities surrounding recipient airports, the grants represent economic investment that supports construction jobs, airport employment and the local businesses that depend on air service connectivity.
The $481 million announcement is separate from larger infrastructure funding authorized under previous legislation. The FAA distributes billions annually through its grant programs, with individual project awards ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars.