The US government is to disburse nearly $1bn in infrastructure grants to 99 airports in 47 states.
The money, which is to be spent under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is to "meet the growing demand for air travel and invests in key areas to help get travellers 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 a Department of Transportation announcement.
Among the dozens project to be funded are a new terminal at Des Moines International Airport, a new terminal and concourse at Salt Lake City's airport, $50 million to revamp the 60-year-old terminal at Chicago O'Hare, $6 million to Portland Airport to help it switch the heating system from fossil fuels, $4.4 million for a baggage handling upgrade at Anchorage's airport, millions for access road upgrades around Cleveland Nashville, New Orleans airports.
“Americans deserve the best airports in the world, and with demand for air travel surging back, this funding to improve the passenger experience couldn’t come at a more urgent time,” said Pete Buttigieg, the transport secretary.
“Today’s funding doesn’t just improve airport terminals. It creates opportunities in communities large and small for good-paying jobs and a chance to be part of our country’s thriving aviation sector,” said deputy Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator A Bradley Mims, whose agency is to help allocate the cash.
The awards followed the doling out of around the same amount to dozens of airports in 2022.
In a statement, Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada described the largesse as "exciting news" as the money would be used to "enhance the customer experience", while the Port of Portland said the funding for the city's airport would help "significantly reduce our carbon emissions".
Salt Lake City Airport said "the funds will help pay for the 16-gate expansion on Concourse B-east coming in January 2026 and 2027", while New Orleans announces the grant would help passengers "by streamlining access between the terminal and south campus parking and rental car facilities".