On Tuesday of this week, the United States Depart of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $518 million to improve critical airport infrastructure.

FAA Increases grant funding

The additional $518 million in grants from the FAA are part of the 2022 Airport Improvement Program. The FAA created the Airport Improvement Program to fund airport infrastructure projects such as airport signing, airport lighting, airport markings, runways, and taxiways. The grants are meant to strengthen aviation infrastructure throughout the nation.

416 grants are a part of the second round of the 2022 Airport Improvement program. United States Transportation Secretary Pete Buttgieg said,

"In communities of all sizes, airports are vital to local economies, sustaining jobs and getting people and goods where they need to go. We're pleased to announce this important funding to help improve airports around the country and better serve all Americans."

FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta, Griffin, P.E., added,

"We're investing $518 million in airports across America so communities big and small can continue to safely and efficiently connect with the rest of the world."

Ontario International Airport to receive almost $11 million for improvements

Southern California's Ontario International Airport will receive an additional $10.77 million from the FAA to make infrastructure improvements. The airport in Ontario has recently grown significantly as a gateway for those in Southern California.

Of the $518 million that the FAA announced it would be awarding, the $10.77 million is the highest amount within California. Ontario will use the money to improve taxiways and to expand the lighting vault that serves the runways.

i-QxP7LgB-X3
Ontario International Airport is quickly becoming the #1 option for many Southern California travelers. Photo: Ontario International Airport

Just last year, ONT was awarded $12.68 million from the FAA and the American Rescue Plan Act for runway and taxiway improvements. Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and Mayor pro Tem of the CIty of Ontario, said,

"I'm grateful to our staff for preparing a successful funding application and to the FAA for continuing to bring infrastructure and airfield improvement dollars to the fastest-growing airport in the U.S."

The Ontario airport has been very successful as of late, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger numbers and ranking among the top 10 cargo airports in North America. ONT serves as a gateway for passengers but also for cargo going in and out of Southern California's Inland Empire.

Additional airport grants

  • Heber Springs Municipal Airport (Heber Springs, AR): $1 million for a 300-foot extension of runway 6/24 safety area. The grant will fund the final phase of the project to enhance operational safety at the airport
  • Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (Springfield, IL): $7 million to complete the final phase of the Runway Incursion Mitigation program. The program reconfigures three runways that currently intersect, improves the airfield layout of the associated taxiways, and provides for other infrastructure improvements. This project will help reduce the likelihood of runway incursions.
  • James M. Cox Dayton International Airport (Dayton, OH): $13.4 million to rehabilitate 54,000 square yards (more than eight American football fields), of the existing terminal apron pavement to maintain structural integrity. This is the seventh of 10 phases.

This round of the Airport Improvement Program has 416 grants, and a complete list can be found on the FAA website.