Through the Airport Improvement Program, nearly 400 facilities will receive financial aid
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is set to provide more than $627.7m (£453.7m) in funding to support infrastructure and safety projects at American bases via the FY2021 Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
The aim of AIP is to promote safety, efficiency, environmental issues, infrastructure and security across US airports. This announcement includes 449 grants which will go to 390 airports in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Federated States of Micronesia.
“Modernising our infrastructure in a way that creates jobs, ensures safety, combats climate change, and fosters equity is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. These Airport Improvement grants will help airports across the country better serve their communities,” said Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Transportation.
Newtok Airport in Alaska is thought to be receiving one of the large sums – more than $21m (£15m) – which will be used for the construction of a replacement airport at the site because the ground surrounding the airport and village is eroding.
Other projects receiving financial support from the programme include Willow Run in Detroit which plans to use the money on the revamp of its existing runway.
Salt Lake City International in Utah expects to receive nearly $20m, which it will spend on the reconstruction of its taxi lanes.
Around $3.2bn (£2.3bn) is given to the AIP grant programme in congressional funding each year. The FAA will award more than 1,500 grants to airports throughout 2021.
