The Iowa Transportation Commission recently approved $7 million for the fiscal year 2022 State Aviation Program. The program supplements local and federal funding sources.
Last fiscal year, funding decreased to $4.8 million.
“A return to normal aviation activity levels has increased fuel tax revenues,” Tammy Nicholson, modal transportation bureau director, said, explaining the differences in funding. “Additionally, legislators were able to appropriate funds from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund to help meet significant vertical infrastructure needs at public-owned airports in Iowa.”
Aviation vertical infrastructure programs will fund $2.9 million. Funding will be divided among eight commercial service airports and 12 general aviation.
Funding provided through the programs is used to maintain and develop airport facilities, such as aviation hangars, maintenance facilities, and terminal buildings.
The Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund funds vertical infrastructure programs.
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) will fund $4 million for air service development activities, system planning, and aviation safety initiatives. It will fund airport development projects at 22 airports.
Funding is also provided for projects such as the mitigation of obstruction and wildlife hazards at airports; maintenance of aviation weather systems; runway, taxiway, and apron development; and emergency operational repairs.
Aviation fuel taxes and aircraft registration fees fund the AIP program.