Recipients of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) infrastructure grants through its Airport Improvement Program (AIP) were released earlier this month, with Texas coming out on top with the most funding awarded.
The airport improvement grants are used to fund restoration and repair projects at the nation’s busiest airports, with larger amounts dependent on passenger volume.
The Airport Improvement Program helps to maintain our aviation infrastructure and supports safety, capacity, security and environmental improvements,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a press release. “This is an important investment in these airports and the economic vitality of their respective communities.”
The largest grant was awarded to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, and the $52.2 million will be used to upgrade terminal aircraft parking apron lighting as part of a move towards energy efficiency, and repairing Runway 17C/35C, the primary runway at the airport.
Texas, and Dallas specifically, is seeing an increase in home values and employment growth, making DFW one of the busiest airports in the state.
The FAA can also supplement airport improvement infrastructure grants with discretionary funds based on airport capital. To date, the FAA has awarded $2.8 billion in 1,580 additional grants this year, funding 646 runway projects and 557 taxiway projects nationwide.
