Alaska – along with Hawaii and all seven U.S. territories such as Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands – now has additional opportunities to make safety improvements and upgrades to its airports due to new guidance issued by the Federal Aviation Administration regarding eligibilities and flexibilities allowed via the agency’s Airport Improvement Program or AIP.
[Above photo by Alaska DOT&PF]
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities noted in a statement that the FAA’s Reauthorization Program Guidance Letter 25-08 issued in early 2025 now recognizes “distinct geographic, climatic, and operational challenges” faced by aviation systems in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories.
Mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, that new updated guidance allows Alaska to use AIP funding for the installation of automated weather systems, weather cameras, and ADS-B ground stations at “covered airports,” which includes any facility listed in the most recent National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
That also means such safety systems are now eligible for AIP funding without the traditional benefit-cost analyses, allowing for more rapid implementation in high-need locations, Alaska DOT&PF noted.
The guidance also introduces transformative changes to runway project eligibility in Alaska, the agency said. Full-length rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing runways is now permitted based on community-specific needs – such as fuel delivery, cargo transport, and medevac access – without regard to critical aircraft dimensions. Runway expansions for economic development are also eligible when supported by based on needs for specific locations.
Additional policy enhancements better align AIP funding with the realities of aviation in Alaska and similar regions, promoting safer, more resilient, and more functional air transportation infrastructure, Alaska DOT&PF said.
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