The Federal Aviation Administration is awarding nearly $1 billion to 99 airports across the country as part of U.S. infrastructure bill signed into law in November 2021, the agency announced Monday. These awards are on top of the $1 billion for airport terminals announced for 85 airports last year.
The funds will help “meet the growing demand for air travel and invests in key areas to help get travelers in and out of airports more quickly and improve the passenger experience by investing in new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints and improved ground transportation,” according to the FAA. Other projects will address terminal sustainability and improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Airports in Salt Lake City and Des Moines have been awarded funds to build new or to expand existing terminals. Chicago O’Hare, Seattle-Tacoma, Sarasota, Savannah and Columbia, S.C., airports have been awarded funds for improving security-screening areas. Airports awarded funds to improve the customer experience, such as faster baggage systems, include Baltimore and Anchorage. Terminal sustainability grants will go to Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Syracuse and Portland, Ore.
Additional grants will focus on increasing access to other modes of transportation or improved roadways, refurbishing air traffic control towers and improving airport access in smaller communities, according to the FAA.
“Business travel is on pace for continued recovery, but for the industry and overall economy to truly take off and grow sustainably, we need air travel systems that are optimized to meet modern needs,” Global Business Travel Association CEO Suzanne Neufang said in a statement. “These grants provide for expanded capabilities to meet the sustainability, accessibility and improved passenger experience that is required by today’s business travel community and travelers overall.”
