The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration is distributing $289 million in grants to 129 airports across 40 states for projects to improve the safety and efficiency of air travel.
The projects include terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety enhancements and air traffic infrastructure improvements.
These grants are the seventh round of Airport Infrastructure Grants awarded since the program’s inception in 2021.
In June, the Transportation Security Administration screened a record-breaking 2.99 million passengers in a single day at airports. TSA expects to screen more than 32 million people during the Independence Day holiday travel season — a 5.4% increase over last year’s travel volumes, the FAA said.
Projects receiving funding through the Airport Infrastructure Grant program include:
$66.7 million to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for site demolition and preparation for a new 2,100-foot taxiway to accommodate more flights.
$30.1 million to reconstruct a runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
$22.2 million to rehabilitate a taxiway and make engineered safety enhancements to a runway at Philadelphia International Airport.
$17.2 million to Palm Beach International Airport in Florida. This grant funds the rehabilitation of existing Runway 14/32 shoulders to improve safety and reconstruction of the pavement for two taxiways.
The FAA has also opened the application period for airports to submit projects for the Fiscal Year 2025 Airport Terminal Program.
The FY 2025 ATP provides approximately $1 billion in funding for safe, sustainable and accessible airport terminals, airport-owned airport traffic control towers, and on-airport rail and bus projects that improve multimodal connections, the FAA said.
Airports must submit eligible project applications for the FY 2025 Airport Terminal Program by July 31.
Since 2022, the FAA has announced over 300 projects to receive ATP grants aimed at improving the passenger experience, modernizing America’s airports, and improving competition in the airline industry by supporting equal access to infrastructure for airlines.
Past examples include:
$24 million to San Diego International Airport. This funding supported the demolition and reconstruction of a new energy efficient terminal facility with 19 passenger gates, increasing passenger capacity.
$11 million to Missoula Airport in Montana. This project constructed Phase 2 of a new terminal building equipped with energy efficient systems, improving capacity for increased passenger demand.
$14.4 million to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. This project updated and expanded the existing terminal to replace the temporary four-gate facility with a permanent five-gate. The new terminal facility improves energy efficiency and achieves ADA compliance for individuals with access and functional needs.
Photo courtesy of PHL.org
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