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On July 2, the United States Transportation Secretary announced several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants, which total more than $1.7 billion to upgrade airports across the country. These improvements include runway rehabilitation, safety upgrades, and enhancements to make airports more family-friendly.
Secretary Sean P. Duffy noted that 46 states will receive investments, as the FAA looks to improve the nation’s airports and ensure that these facilities receive grants quickly and efficiently. The aim is not just to rebuild airports, but to modernize them for American families and ensure preparedness for the future.
$1.7 Billion Issued In FAA Grants Celebrating America250
These grants were issued the same week that America celebrated its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when celebrations were held around the country. For the FAA, it celebrated the semisequentennial by wishing airports across 46 of its states with the commitment to support upgrades. Key airports include:
Airport | IATA Code |
|---|---|
Denver | DEN |
Boise | BOI |
Baltimore | BWI |
Houston Hobby | HOU |
New York JFK | JFK |
Orlando | MCO |
Oakland | OAK |
The Transportation Secretary emphasized that the USDOT is ready to usher in the Golden Age of Transportation in the United States, and includes rebuilding airport infrastructure as an integral part to make that vision a reality. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, in a statement below, explains how these latest grants will change how people travel in the USA, as reported by Flying Mag:
“The FAA is prioritizing improving our nation’s airports and ensuring we issue grants quickly and efficiently. This funding does more than just rebuild runways and taxiways, it modernizes the travel experience for American families, ensuring our airports are safe and ready for the future.”
46 States To Receive Airport Funding
As part of these investments, the most notable announcement is that more than $88.8 million is set to be earmarked for 
Denver International Airport (DEN), allow the airline to undertake important pavement projects. Other investments include $74 million for the redevelopment of the Boise Air Terminal at Boise Airport (BOI) and Gowen Field runway rehabilitation, which includes an apron expansion and upgrades to the visual guidance lighting.
$62.4 million will make its way to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) for the airport to invest in runway and runway light rehabilitation, and at the same time, $62.2 million is destined for Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) for runway construction. $47.6 million is set aside for 
New York JFK Airport (JFK) to allow further taxiway construction and reconstruct the aircraft rescue and firefighting facilities.
$36 million will go to 
Orlando International Airport (MCO) for rehabilitation of airport terminals, taxiways, and lighting, and $28.1 million will be invested at Oakland International Airport (OAK) for taxiway rehabilitation. These figures are alongside several other smaller developments at airports across the nation. AIP funding is usually based on passenger frequency and aircraft operations.
The Massive US Airport Expansion Projects That Will Reshape How America Flies
The biggest airport overhauls in America.
These Investments Are In Addition To Other Grants Already Announced
Earlier this calendar year, the Transportation Department already invested up to $800 million to support the replacement of air traffic control towers and terminal radar approach control facilities. The agency is already overseeing a $12.5 billion investment in ATC, which, as reported by Flying Mag, will support the replacement of radios, radars, voice switches, and other technological improvements across hundreds of facilities in the United States.
Last month, the House Appropriations Committee approved the 2027 fiscal year, which allows for up to $4 billion in AIP grants, including $271 million for supplemental grants and $303 million for contract tower programs. The FAA has created an interactive website that individuals can view and track progress on these updates. This can be found here.
As America celebrated its 250th anniversary, airlines and airports around the country came together with a range of different initiatives, from airlines flying with special America250 liveries, to upgraded onboard offerings, to a pilot taking to the skies for six hours in a Cessna aircraft to paint America250, with an outline of the contiguous United States. With the latest announcement for $1.7 billion in airport enhancements, the next few years will see airports’ substantial upgrades to operational efficiency across the country.
