FAA Rolls out Third Installment of Airport Infrastructure Grants

The Federal Aviation Administration awarded $770.8 million in grants to 522 airports on July 27 to fund 949 infrastructure projects that include runways, taxiways, and terminals, as well as the acquisition of aircraft rescue, firefighting, and snow removal equipment.

The agency said in a statement that this money is the “third increment” of grants issued via its $3.18 billion Airport Improvement Program, which funds projects in all 50 states and five U.S. territories.

FAA added that 569 grants are being funded via this third installment from the AIP, with the first allotment on June 8 funding 241 grants and the second installment on July 16 funding 450 grants.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

USDOT noted that aviation infrastructure, particularly the nation’s 3,323 airports and 5,000 paved runways, “increases the country’s competitiveness and improves the traveling public’s quality of life.”

According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs.

The FAA said AIP grants also help spur additional investments by state governments in aviation infrastructure.

For example, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development noted that $25.6 million in grants it received from FAA via the second round of AIP funding for 15 infrastructure projects at 13 airports is being augmented by more than $2.8 million in matching funds from the state’s coffers.

“We’re grateful to receive this grant for airport improvements all across our state,” noted DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson in a statement. “Air travel is an essential part of the state’s infrastructure, and we owe it to the traveling public to provide safe, high-quality airports. As always, we’re dedicated to continuing the search for alternate means of funding to improve the quality of life of our citizens and visitors.”

Louisiana airports that received that AIP grant money include: Alexandria International Airport, Acadiana Regional Airport, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, DeQuincy Industrial Airpark, False River Regional Airport, Jonesville Municipal Airport, Le Gros Memorial Airport, Lafayette Regional Airport, Lake Charles Regional Airport, Louisiana Regional Airport, Monroe Regional Airport, Natchitoches Regional Airport, and South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport.

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