Airports

October 1, 2009 -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced more than $355 million in funding for more than a dozen airport security projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“These state-of-the-art technologies will bolster security and increase efficiency for both travelers and employees,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Investing Recovery Act funds in these critical airport projects will create jobs in local communities while strengthening our efforts to guard against terrorism.”    » read more »

August 26, 2009 -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced more than $240 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for new in-line baggage handling systems at 10 additional airports across the country.    » read more »

Schumer, Gillibrand announce $300,000 in DOT funding coming to Ithaca Tompkins for the nation's first "green" airport master plan; $500,000 for new equipment

June 23, 2009 -- U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide a total of $790,135 to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport through the Federal Aviation Administration.

The first grant of $505,135 will fund new airplane de-icing equipment and other winter weather preparations, while a second grant of $285,000 will fund an update of the airport’s master plan to provide a forecast of future expansion and development. The master plan is the first “green” master plan for an airport in the country.    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the Roswell International Airport will receive $540,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Funding will be used to rehabilitate taxiways C and H.

“Roswell’s new service to Dallas continues to be a success," Bingaman said. “This funding will help the airport make the needed improvement to help ensure continued service.”

Last month, American Eagle announced that it will add four nonstop flights per week from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Roswell International Air Center. The new service is scheduled to begin in August 2009.

Source: Senator Jeff Bingaman

June 8, 2009 – Working to support rural Nebraska airports, Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson today introduced the Small Airport Relief Act of 2009 which would ensure current federal funding levels for rural airports remain stable during the economic downturn. Without legislation, multiple Nebraska airports stand to lose a significant amount of funding if they fall below the threshold required to qualify for $1 million in federal assistance through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) in 2009.

The Senator wrote the Federal Aviation Administration about the same funding issue last week.    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced legislation today that would revise an arbitrary restriction on Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) that limits competition and reduces choices for travelers. By allowing the marketplace to operate more freely, this simple fix would give travelers more options and may lead to lower airfares on certain routes, particularly to the West.    » read more »

Bill Will Close Revolving Door Between Airlines and the FAA

June 5, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – As part of their efforts to strengthen and improve aviation safety in America, U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) today announced the Aviation Inspection Safety Act, bipartisan legislation to toughen airline safety rules and bring an end to the cozy relationship that has developed between airlines and some federal regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).    » read more »

Promise of a longer runway already attracting businesses to nearby tech park

June 5, 2009 -- Indian Head, MD – U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) led the groundbreaking ceremony for a $30 million expansion of the Maryland Airport. Joining Senator Cardin today were Charles County Commissioners Wayne Cooper (President), Edith Patterson (Vice President), Samuel Graves, Reuben Collins, Gary Hodge, County Administrator Paul Comfort, and Maryland Airport operators Jack Crawford and Gil Bauserman.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid today announced federal funding to improve safety and emergency preparedness infrastructure at the airports in Boulder City, Tonopah, and Reno-Tahoe. The Department of Transportation will administer the grant funding. Both Boulder City Municipal Airport and Tonopah Airport will receive over $1 million for necessary improvements. Reno-Tahoe International will receive nearly $4 million.

“Safety is always our first concern,” Ensign said. “The Department of Transportation’s funding for aviation improvements ensures that the public has the best access to travel.”    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $15,978,467 in grants to five Illinois airports.

“Today’s grants will allow airports in Illinois make needed improvements and upgrades to help them serve travelers more safely and efficiently,” said Durbin. “These important projects will also create good paying jobs throughout Illinois during the current construction season.”

The following airports will receive funding under today’s announcement:

* Quad City International Airport: $3,750,000 in funding for runway rehabilitation;    » read more »

Funds will bring airport’s fire trucks and County’s mass casualty trailer under one roof for the first time

02-Jun-2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown $2.3 million through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to construct an aircraft rescue and firefighting building.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the Raton and Los Alamos airports will benefit from federal funds being awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Bingaman said the Raton Municipal Airport will receive $1.1 million for perimeter fencing, which will enhance airport security and keep wildlife out of the airport movement areas. Funding will also be used to design the strengthening of runway 2-20 to accommodate existing and anticipated aircraft whereby increasing the capacity of this airport.    » read more »

Reno, North Las Vegas airports to receive money for ongoing projects

June 1, 2009 --Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign announced today grant funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) of more than $4 million for safety and upgrade work at two major Nevada airports.

Reno-Tahoe International Airport will receive more than $2.8 million to continue its rehabilitation work, while North Las Vegas Airport will get more than $1.7 million for ongoing safety work to relocate overhead power lines to underground locations. About 3,000 feet of line will be moved as part of the project.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON --- Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel K. Inouye announced today that the State will receive two airport-related grants totaling more than $7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, including one for more than $6.8 million to construct a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) station west of the existing ARFF station at Molokai Airport.

Construction on the new ARFF station is expected to start in September 2009. The new facility will be sound-proof and will accommodate two ARFF trucks, three dormitory rooms, a kitchen, fitness center, dining room, and watch alarm roof.

In addition, an automated weather observing station, operated by the Federal Aviation Administration, will be relocated to the new ARFF station.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the investment of nearly $3 million for 16 airports to improve safety and facility maintenance.

“Airports are important assets that can attract new business and create jobs,” Governor Rendell said. “We are making the smart investments necessary to increase economic vitality and facilitate the more than $12 billion in state revenue the aviation industry yields each year. By investing in our aviation assets we can help sustain our communities and retain jobs across Pennsylvania.”

Funding for the grants comes from the state’s jet fuel tax and is administered by PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation. The grants leverage $904,800 in local matching funds.    » read more »