FAA gives airport $ 1 billion for terminals and upgrades

Washington-The Byden administration has used the huge amount of money approved last year for terminals and other Infrastructure bill offering about $ 1 billion to 85 airports to expand and upgrade facilities.

Transport Secretary Pete Butigieg said the project will help meet future travel demands and make flights safer and more efficient.

"I don't think anyone looks at airports across the United States today and says that the existing system and existing funding levels are appropriate," Butigieg told reporters.

The grant, announced Thursday, was approved by Congress and was $ 5 billion for airport projects included in the infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Bydenlast November. This is the first installment payment.

The Federal Aviation Authority's largest grant is $ 60 million for terminal improvements and replacement of the bag handling system at Denver International Airport, one of Boston's Logan Airport and Florida's Orlando International Airport. Includes $ 50 million and $ 49.6 million per. Dulles Airport, outside Washington, D.C., has built a new concourse, and Pittsburgh International Airport has spent $ 20 million to build a new terminal next to the old one.

Major airports in Detroit and Philadelphia will each earn over $ 20 million to refurbish their toilets.

According to the FAA, if 532 airports submit applications for 658 projects and all are approved, the total will exceed $ 14 billion.

So far, federal funds have been primarily invested in runways, taxis and towers, but airports have paid for terminal upgrades with passenger facility fees or money from PFC. rice field. ticket.

Buttigieg said it's okay to spend taxpayers' money on projects that were commonly covered by passenger fees in the past. Taxpayers expect and want it.

Congress may consider raising ticket taxes for next year's airport projects. Airports want to raise rates, but airlines don't.