US airports are seeing a surge in renovations fueled by the infrastructure funds allocated through President Joe Biden's 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

While these developments are welcomed as important steps toward modernizing airport infrastructure, authorities stress the need for more substantial funding to address critical upgrade requirements.

A 'Game Changer' for US Airports

The infrastructure money is being channeled into essential upgrades. However, US airports assert that the allocated funds fall short of meeting their comprehensive infrastructure needs.

NBC News reports that Greg Cota, Senior Vice President of Government and Political Affairs at the Airports Council International-North America, hailed the funding as a "game changer" for terminal upgrades, highlighting its transformative potential.

One notable example is the Appleton International Airport in Wisconsin, which received $3.43 million from the infrastructure package. This funding will complement a more extensive $66 million concourse expansion project, which is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025. 

Appleton International Airport, like many others, experienced record-breaking passenger numbers last year and anticipates serving one million travelers this year.

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Which US Airports are Receiving Upgrades?

The $970 million in grants will be allocated to 144 airports across 44 states and three territories. These funds are designated for projects to enhance safety, expand capacity, and create job opportunities.

This week's grant selections mark the third round of approximately $1 billion in annual grant funding under the program. The law's airport terminal program allocates $5 billion over five years.

Notable grants include $43 million for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina to construct a new taxiway, $8.6 million for Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Michigan to reconstruct the aircraft rescue and fire-fighting building, and various grants to acquire snow removal equipment for airports nationwide.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the administration's commitment to prioritizing safety and efficiency in aviation, while FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta R. Griffin highlighted the grants' role in sustaining and enhancing critical airport infrastructure.

Despite the progress facilitated by the infrastructure law, US airports stress the need for continued and increased funding to address their comprehensive infrastructure requirements adequately. 

"There's a lot of money out there, and Congress has been generous," Kevin Burke, president and CEO of the North American airports council, told the press. "But it's not enough to be able to solve the long-term problem," he said, "which is enough infrastructure money to be able to modernize all of our airports."

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