This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced that 28 airports across the State of Washington – including Auburn Municipal Airport received a total of $47,136,759 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and two programs established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program and the Airport Terminal Program (ATP) – over the first six months of 2024.
Auburn Municipal Airport will receive $272,268:
- $180,875 in AIG funds to cover about 55% of the initial design phase of a project to replace the existing airport rotating beacon that has reached the end of its useful life, acquire and install a new automated weather observing system to provide site-specific weather information, and acquire and install a new electrical generator to improve the reliability and efficiency of the airport’s power supply and to prevent power disruptions to the airfield.
- $91,393 in AIP funds to acquire and install an electrical emergency generator, install weather reporting equipment, and reconstruct an airport rotating beacon.
These critical investments are particularly timely, as air travel hits all-time highs and airports prepare for a record-setting summer travel season. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), last month the agency set a record for most passengers screened in a single day, with nearly 3 million travelers screened on June 23. Seven of the 10 busiest air travel days ever have occurred over the past month, according to TSA, and the agency expects a new record number of travelers this coming weekend.
Sen. Cantwell championed a $600 million annual increase to the AIP, boosting the important program to $4 billion per year in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which President Biden signed into law in May. She also played a key role in incorporating the AIG and ATP programs in the 2021 BIL.
“Just halfway through this year, 28 airports across Washington state received over $47 million in federal funding to add flight capacity, modernize aging airport facilities, increase safety, and enhance the overall passenger experience for the traveling public. Washington airports are vital to our state and local economies, contributing more than $107 billion in economic impact while creating over 400,000 high-paying jobs,” Sen. Cantwell said. “We’re already reaping the benefits from these federal investments — opening a new terminal this year in Spokane, making airport road access improvements at SeaTac, and connecting our rural and urban communities.”
Here is a summary of the total amount of AIP, AIG, and ATP funding received by airports located in each region over the first half of 2024. More grant details below:
- Eastern Washington: $12,740,994
- Puget Sound: $12,299,512
- Northwest Washington: $11,425,900
- Central Washington: $9,787,201
- Southwest Washington: $883,152
Total for Eastern Washington: $12,740,994
Spokane International Airport:
- $6,498,540 in AIG funds for Spokane’s TREX Concourse C project, specifically for the gates and supporting infrastructure.
- $2,000,000 in ATP funds to add up to two additional ticket counters and passenger boarding bridges, upgrade portions of the HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, shared‐use & hearing impaired technology, smart glass, solar energy connection, and baggage handling systems, and make considerable ADA improvements.
Walla Walla Regional Airport:
- $700,000 in AIG funds to rehabilitate an apron.
- $497,484 in AIG funds to acquire snow removal equipment.
- $87,395 in AIP funds to acquire snow removal equipment.
Wilbur Municipal Airport:
- $385,000 in AIG funds to construct an apron.
- $296,424 in AIP funds to construct an apron.
Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport:
- $633,832 in AIP funds to update the airport’s master plan.
Othello Municipal Airport:
- $448,000 in AIG funds to seal pavement surface and joints on airport apron, runway, taxilane, and taxiway.
Omak Airport:
- $326,000 in AIG funds to reconstruct a taxiway.
Ephrata Municipal Airport:
- $283,357 in AIG funds to construct, modify, improve, or rehabilitate the hangar.
· Methow Valley State Airport
o $223,000 in AIG funds to construct a heliport or helipad.
Davenport Municipal Airport:
- $215,000 in AIG funds to install a Runway Visual Guidance System and weather reporting equipment.
Odessa Municipal Airport:
- $100,000 in AIG funds to install miscellaneous navigational technology.
Port of Whitman Business Air Center:
- $46,962 in AIP funds to determine if a feasible location can be identified for installation of a weather observation station at the airport. The airport does not currently have weather-reporting capabilities — the nearest weather station is at the Pullman Airport, approximately 16 miles southeast.
“Eastern Washington’s economic growth is intricately linked to the efficiency of our transportation hubs, as most economic development occurs within just a few miles of an airport. By investing in our airport infrastructure — like Spokane Airport’s recently unveiled new terminal — we are also paving the way to attract more businesses, and adding capacity to expand flight destinations for the traveling public,” Sen. Cantwell said.
Total for Puget Sound: $12,299,512
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:
- $10,400,000 in ATP funds to fund a portion of the widening of the arrivals terminal access road by two lanes, including realignment of the departures access road and associated infrastructure.
Bremerton National Airport:
- $618,244 in AIG funds to conduct an airport-related environmental assessment.
Sanderson Field:
- $300,000 in AIG funds to update an existing airport master plan study. This grant funds about 67% of the project.
- $150,000 in AIP funds to update the airport’s master plan.
Arlington Municipal Airport:
- $400,000 in AIG funds to install perimeter fencing.
Auburn Municipal Airport:
- $180,875 in AIG funds to cover about 55% of the initial design phase of a project to replace the existing airport rotating beacon that has reached the end of its useful life, acquire and install a new automated weather observing system to provide site-specific weather information, and acquire and install a new electrical generator to improve the reliability and efficiency of the airport’s power supply and to prevent power disruptions to the airfield.
- $91,393 in AIP funds to acquire and install an electrical emergency generator, install weather reporting equipment, and reconstruct an airport rotating beacon.
Vashon Municipal Airport:
- $159,000 in AIG funds to update an existing airport layout plan with a master plan narrative.
“Puget Sound is a critical gateway for international business and tourism in the State of Washington. With airport passenger volume forecasted to exceed pre-pandemic levels this year at airports like SeaTac, it is critical we ensure our airport infrastructure is up-to-date to keep pace with the demand for travel. We are in the era of the Pacific, and improving our airport infrastructure will significantly enhance our global competitiveness and provide a welcome boost to our local economy,” Sen. Cantwell said.
Total for Northwest Washington: $11,425,900
Bellingham International Airport:
- $4,523,362 in AIG funds to reconstruct airfield guidance signs and reconstruct runway lighting.
- $1,350,000 in AIP funds to acquire a new Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicle, which will be equipped with Fluorine-Free Foam as the port begins to transition from PFAS found in previous foams.
Friday Harbor Airport:
- $1,945,542 in AIG funds to construct, modify, improve, or rehabilitate a hangar.
- $1,133,564 in AIP funds to expand the apron.
- $1,000,001 in AIG funds to construct or improve fuel farm.
Lopez Island Airport:
- $448,000 in AIG funds to construct, extend, or improve the safety area, which is extra surface area on the sides of the runway in case an aircraft overshoots or overruns the runway.
- $277,431 in AIP funds to install a rotating beacon and weather reporting equipment.
Anacortes Regional Airport:
- $448,000 in AIG funds to install miscellaneous navigational technology, install a runway vertical/visual guidance system, reconstruct runway lighting, and replace runway marking and signage.
Skagit Regional Airport:
- $300,000 in AIG funds to acquire snow removal equipment.
“For too long, travelers and businesses in Northwest Washington have contended with outdated airport facilities. These investments in our airport infrastructure will not only enhance the passenger experience but also boost local economies by making our airports more accessible, safe, and efficient,” Sen. Cantwell said.
Total for Central Washington: $9,787,201
Tri-Cities Airport:
- $5,891,841 in AIG funds to reconstruct 4,333 square yards of the existing east general aviation apron pavement and 8,000 feet of the existing taxilane pavement, both of which have reached the end of their useful life.
- $591,859 in AIG funds to reconstruct the apron.
Pangborn Memorial Airport:
- $1,023,675 in AIG funds to reconstruct the runway.
- $609,290 in AIP funds to acquire snow removal equipment.
Richland Airport:
- $180,807 in AIG funds to construct the taxilane.
- $765,959 in AIP funds to resurface and reseal runway pavement.
Bowers Field:
- $590,000 in AIG funds to rehabilitate the apron, taxilane, and taxiway.
McAllister Field:
- $133,770 in AIG funds to modify or rehabilitate the terminal building.
“Central Washington is at the heart of our state’s growth and innovation. Upgrading our airport infrastructure is not just crucial to increasing connectivity for our rural communities, but also ensuring that this dynamic region remains competitive and well-connected to the global economy,” Sen. Cantwell said.
Total for Southwest Washington: $883,152
Pearson Field:
- $783,152 in AIP funds to acquire and install an electrical emergency generator, reconstruct airport lighting vault equipment, and reconstruct runway lighting.
- $100,000 in AIG funds to acquire and install an electrical emergency generator, reconstruct airport lighting vault equipment, and reconstruct runway lighting.
“General Aviation airports in Washington state play a major role in our local communities, and Pearson Field is no different. As one of the oldest continuously operated airfields in the United States, this funding will be crucial in upgrading key infrastructure that will increase the safety and longevity of this historic airport,” Sen. Cantwell said.
Sen. Cantwell worked hard to secure funding for air travel infrastructure nationwide as part of the 2021 BIL. With her support, the infrastructure package provided a total of $25 billion for airport improvements, including $5 billion for the Airport Terminal Program and $15 billion in Airport Infrastructure Grants. Last year, airports across the state of Washington received nearly $200 million in federal funding through a combination of AIG, ATP, and the Airport Improvement Program. In addition, Sen. Cantwell also helped to secure over $217 million in Airport Rescue Grants for Washington airports to help them weather the COVID-19 pandemic.
In May, Sen. Cantwell additionally shepherded the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for five years. The new law included top Cantwell priorities including enhancing safety oversight, strengthening workforce development, boosting next-generation aviation innovation, and codifying consumer protections.
