U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would award more than $1 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants to more than 400 airports across the country.
The grants awards include $731 million in Airport Improvement Program grants and an additional $455 million in Supplemental Discretionary grants. As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the grants will fund up to 100 percent of the airports’ projects.
“This Federal investment of over $1 billion represents the Department’s continued commitment to the safety and efficiency of our nation’s airports for the traveling public,” Chao said.
Grants were awarded to airports in every state in the country, as well as Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Alaska tops the list in terms of most grants, winning more than $102 million in funding, followed by Texas with more than $97 million. Hawaii was the third top-funded state with more than $90 million in grants, followed by California with $79 million and Alabama with nearly $61 million.
Projects range from purchasing aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment to constructing runways and taxiways to repairing runways to installing signage and conducting airport master plan studies.
“The 439 grants will ensure that airport sponsors can make the necessary improvements so their airports can operate in a safe and efficient manner for years to come,” said FAA Administrator Stephen M. Dickson.
A complete listing of grants and an interactive map of airports receiving funding is available on the FAA website.