The FAA tells ANN that
it will provide funding to four airports to help them convert from
military to civilian use. The airports selected are Portsmouth
International Airport, Portsmouth, NH; Sawyer International
Airport, Marquette, MI; Plattsburgh International Airport,
Plattsburgh, NY; and Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, Killeen,
TX.
The MAP uses federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding
to boost civilian aviation capacity by upgrading former military
airports. With the need to increase capacity in the civilian
aviation system as quickly and economically as possible, it makes
sense to take advantage of the availability of former military
airports.
A total of 15 airports may participate in the program at any one
time, including one general aviation airport. Airports may receive
financial assistance for up to five years.
Since 1990, the FAA has provided airport sponsors approximately
$500 million for a variety of projects such as building or
rehabilitating surface parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, utility
systems, access roads, and cargo buildings. Many of these projects
are not normally eligible for AIP funding, but projects for
MAP-designated airports have unique eligibility rules to convert
the airports to civilian use.
The four airports selected this year are prior participants in
the program and are participating again because they remain
committed to ensuring their airports can operate as civilian or
joint military-civilian use facilities.
Additional information on the MAP selections is listed below:
Plattsburgh
International Airport, Plattsburgh, NY, will receive funds for four
years to conduct hangar work and acquire snow removal equipment.
The airport does not have a project scheduled for 2007, but project
funding will be part of the 2008 disbursements.
Sawyer International Airport, Marquette, MI, will receive $2.6
million over three years to renovate military aircraft hangars for
civilian use and improve utilities.
Portsmouth International Airport (formerly Pease Air Force
Base), Portsmouth, NH, will receive $.2.9 million for three years
to make terminal security improvements, acquire snow removal
equipment, and design and build a deicing/holding apron pad.
Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, Killeen, TX, will receive
$285,000 for one year to expand the existing fueling area to meet
current and projected operational requirements at the airport.
Airports already participating in the program include:
Waynesville Regional Airport, Waynesville, MO; Cecil Field,
Jacksonville, FL; Kalaeloa Airport, Oahu, HI; Griffiss Airpark,
Rome, NY; Stewart International, Newburgh, NY; Rickenbacker
Airport, Columbus, OH; Okaloosa County-Valparaiso/Eglin Air Force
Base, Valparaiso, FL; Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa, AZ; Guam
International, Agana, Guam; Sacramento Mather, Sacramento, CA; and
San Bernardino International, San Bernardino, CA.