Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) this month led the industry praise for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcement of the first $1 billion in grants from the Airport Terminal Program.
The program was created as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provides $5 billion for terminal projects over five years. The grants released last week will fund 92 projects at 85 airports, focusing on terminal reconstruction, development, and accessibility; improving energy efficiency for terminals; and replacing airport-owned air traffic control (ATC) towers; among many other purposes.
“With this announcement, the FAA takes an important first step to provide airports with additional funding for necessary terminal projects that remain the largest infrastructure need for our industry,” said Kevin Burke, president and CEO of ACI-NA. “The incredible demand for this first $1 billion in grants illustrates just how much more help airports need to finance critical terminal projects. We are grateful for our ongoing collaboration with the FAA and others in the Department of Transportation, and we will continue to work closely with our federal partners to secure additional funding for these critical infrastructure projects.”
The FAA received more than 650 applications for terminal projects totaling more than $14 billion for this first round of grants.
Among the project that were awarded funding is $35 million to Dallas Forth Worth International Airport (DFW) to build a new zero carbon central utility plant.
As part of reaching the Airport’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2030, the Zero Carbon Electric Central Utility Plant replaces the airports aging steam piping distribution system with a highly efficient hot water piping system, improving resiliency and maximizing efficiency.
Philadelphia International Airport’s (PHL) will receive $24 million for its Restroom Renovation Program, which will renovate 30 existing restrooms throughout the airport and construct two new restrooms, five lactation suites, four service animal relief areas, 49 gender neutral restrooms and three adult assisted care restrooms. When complete, the project will provide 13,000 square feet of additional restroom space and 35 more stalls across PHL’s terminals. The project will also incorporate smart restroom and touchless technology and increase water efficiency.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) said it was awarded $24 million in discretionary grant funds that will be used for the New T1 program, which will replace the current SAN Terminal 1 with a modern and efficient facility and includes improvements to the airfield, and transportation to make it easier to get to and from the airport.
“These funds are crucial to our continued efforts to transform San Diego’s air transportation gateway,” said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority president and CEO. “This grant money will be used for the New T1 program. We thank the Federal Aviation Administration for awarding the funds.”
