Investments Include Safety, Sustainability and Greater Accessibility At Airports

The FAA has awarded more than $431.8 million in grants to build safer, more sustainable and more accessible airports across the United States.

Projects at 60 airports in 31 states plus Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are included in this final round of funding for 2021. “To get passengers where they need to be safely and sustainably, we must make ongoing investments in our aviation system. These grants will help fulfill our commitment to build a safer, more equitable and more sustainable future,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. President Biden’s America’s Rescue Plan details that the projects will not be required to pay the usual local match given the nearly $100 million provided in the law.

“With today’s awards, the FAA has provided $3.2 billion in airport funds this year to improve safety, environmental stewardship, and accessibility,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said. “These grants support airport infrastructure across our National Airspace System, providing federal investment to communities of all sizes, from remote areas to major metropolitan cities.”

According to the FAA, the largest grants include:

• Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tenn.: $24.8 million to build a deicing pad with associated facilities as part of the overall airport modernization project.
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Fort Worth, Texas: Two grants totaling $35.0 million. The first, for $30.7 million, pays for constructing two replacement aircraft rescue and firefighting buildings to help the airport meet FAA safety requirements. The second, for $4.3 million, will be used to buy zero-emissions passenger shuttle buses and associated charging infrastructure.
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Romulus, Mich.: $35.6 million to enhance overall airfield safety by reconstructing a taxiway.
• Grand Junction Regional Airport, Grand Junction, Colo.: $15.7 million to construct a new 10,500-foot replacement runway to meet FAA standards, including grading and drainage features.

Other grants awarded include:

• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman, MT
• Gallatin Airport, Sparta, KY
• Venice Municipal Airport, Venice, FL
• Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque, NM
• Bismarck Municipal Airport, Bismarck, ND
• Denver International Airport, Denver, CO
• Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento, CA
• Tampa International Airport, Tampa, FL
• Metlakatla Airport, Metlakatla, AK

The Airport Improvement Program receives approximately $3.2 billion in funding each year.

FMI: www.faa.gov/airports/aip/2021_aip_grants