AASHTO Journal - FAA Issues $84.4M to Airport Projects in Three States

The Federal Aviation Administration recently issued $84.4 million in Airport Improvement Program or AIP grants to support four airport infrastructure projects in Texas, North Carolina, and Wyoming.

[Above photo by San Antonio Int’l Airport]

The agency said in a statement that funding will go toward strengthening and modernizing essential facilities, improving airfield infrastructure, enhancing passenger amenities, and addressing needs that support safe and efficient airport operations.

[Editor’s note: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently published a new digital edition of a report entitled “The Impact of General Aviation on State and Local Economies, State Reports 2026, 4th Edition” that documents the economic and community impact of general aviation across the country.]

The airports receiving funds from this round of AIP grants are:

$40.9 million to San Antonio International Airport for airfield drainage reconstruction and erosion control
$17.5 million to Abilene Regional Airport for terminal expansion
$16.6 million to Jackson Hole Airport for taxiway rehabilitation
$3 million to Wilmington International Airport to expand the apron

FAA added that airports can use AIP funding for infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, markings and other safety-related needs.

This is the latest in a string of grants awards issued by FAA this year.

In mid-September, the agency issued $1.1 billion in grants to 280 airports in 46 states and three territories to help upgrade critical airport infrastructure and install vehicle movement area transmitters or VMATS onto airport vehicles.

In early September, the agency issued $481 million via its Airport Infrastructure Grants or AIG program to help improve airport infrastructure in 36 states and two territories.

In late August, the FAA issued $615 million via the AIP to 238 recipients in 42 states and two U.S. territories to support projects that improve runway and taxiway infrastructure, invest in family-friendly features in terminals, and support critical airfield safety upgrades.

In early August, the agency issued $870 million via its AIG program to airports in 44 states and two territories. That money funds 339 grants for projects aimed at improving runway infrastructure, enhancing safety, and adding more family-friendly features at U.S. airports.

In July, the FAA issued a total of $1.776 billion through its AIP and AIG programs to airports in 46 states to help support a variety of projects focused on runway rehabilitations, family-friendly enhancements, and safety upgrades.

And in June, the FAA issued more than $523 million in AIG program funding to airports in 43 states to support runway rehabilitation, taxiway improvements, terminal upgrades, and other airfield investments.