The U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the intent to award U.S. dollars 779 million in supplemental funding for infrastructure grants to 127 airports across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Airports are vital to the local and regional economy including tourism. The selected airports can utilize the funding for construction or equipment to increase their safety, capacity, and security. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for U.S. dollars 1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs.
US Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao said, “This supplemental funding allows us to invest in important infrastructure needs at the nation’s airports, especially those serving smaller and rural communities”.
This funding is in addition to the U.S. dollars 3.31 billion awarded in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding during fiscal year 2018, and $205 million awarded in the first tranche of supplemental AIP funding in September 2018. The recipients of the selected grants will meet any remaining required approvals.
Selected projects include runway reconstruction and rehabilitation, and the maintenance of taxiways, aprons, and terminals. The construction and equipment supported by this funding will be instrumental in increasing the airports’ safety, emergency response capabilities, capacity, and further potential growth and development within each airport’s region.
Under the Secretary’s leadership, the FAA is administering the supplemental funding for infrastructure of the airports to strengthen the safety and efficiency of America’s airports. These investments will increase the nation’s competitiveness and improve the quality of life for the traveling public.
There are requirements under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.
It requires the FAA to give ‘priority consideration’ to specific types of airports (smaller and more rural airports). For non-primary airports, there is no local match required for the work covered by the grant. It requires the FAA to obligate the supplemental funding by September 2020.
