Nebraska, Alaska Senators Urge Support For Rural Airports
In a letter to the FAA, Nebraska's two U.S. Senators urge the
administration to “utilize all available discretion and
funding flexibility to support rural airports.”
"The degree to which rural communities rely upon their airports
cannot be overstated," Senator Mike Johanns (R-above) said. "They
are an important part of economic development and represent
critical infrastructure for farmers, businesses, and families
across the state. In general, passenger levels have dropped and
rural airports shouldn't be punished for falling below a specific
threshold. I strongly advise the FAA to utilize all options to
continue the support relied upon by rural airports."
“The economic crisis has hit rural airports hard,”
said Senator Ben Nelson (D-above). “These airports serve as
economic engines and transportation hubs for rural communities. I
am urging the FAA to continue to support these vital lifelines
while passenger levels are expected to dip.”
The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which provides
infrastructure and security dollars to rural airports, requires
that all airports meet a threshold of 10,000 passengers per
year in order to qualifying for $1 million in federal funding. A
report on KOLN-TV indicated the economic slowdown could cause
multiple Nebraska airports to fall below the below that threshold
this year.
The FAA says the AIP provides grants to public agencies, and in
some cases to private owners and entities, for the planning and
development of public-use airports that are included in the
National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. For small
primary, reliever, and general aviation airports, the grant covers
95 percent of eligible costs. Runway construction and
rehabilitation, airfield drainage, weather observations station,
and safety area improvements are all among the types of projects
eligible for funding.
There is a history of the FAA and Congress showing flexibility
on the passenger requirements for AIP funding. Following the
September 11th attacks, AIP funding was extended to airports that
dipped below that threshold. A loss of AIP funding would stall
airport improvements in many rural communities, the report
says.
Senators Johanns and Nelson were joined by Alaska Senators Mark
Begich (D-second, above) and Lisa Murkowski (R-above) in signing
the letter. The State of Alaska, in particular, relies heavily
on GA and airports for essential services.