The Biden-Harris administration has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award U$970 million in grants to benefit 114 airports across the country. The grants are part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Investing in America agenda, to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure while lowering costs for families, creating jobs and advancing opportunities for all Americans.
The investments to enhance the passenger experience, will include new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints, increased gate capacity and the modernisation of aging infrastructure throughout terminals and ground infrastructure. Nine grants will specifically address the needs of aging air traffic control towers, other investments will be made to increase terminal sustainability and improve accessibility for those with disabilities.
US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg,said: “Under this administration, we are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernising the physical infrastructure. These investments will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs and increase safety for all.”
These recent awards are part of the Airport Terminal Programme, one of three aviation programmes created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and are in addition to the nearly US$2 billion for airport terminal projects announced over the past two years, the majority of which are already under construction.
Airports that will benefit from these grants, include Denver International Airport in Colorado (pictured), which has received US$26.6 million to fund a portion of the baggage handling system replacement, including the control system. Elsewhere, Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah, has received US$20 million to fund a portion of the Concourse B terminal expansion that will include 16 gates and Hector International Airport in Fargo, North Dakota, will benefit from US$10 million to help fund the rehabilitation and expansion of its existing terminal.
Several grants contain an element that will go to improving airport access in smaller communities. Among them are: Punta Gorda Airport in Florida, which will receive US$10 million to help fund the terminal rehabilitation and expansion project; Presque Isle International Airport in Maine, which will benefit from being awarded US$6.5 million to construct a new terminal; and Standing Rock Airport in Fort Yates, North Dakota, which will receive US$700,000 to fund the construction of a new general aviation terminal building.
