Regulatory Alert: DOT Announces $898.9 Million in AIP Grants for 447 Airports

May 13, 2021

Today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the award of $898.9 million in airport infrastructure and safety grants as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This total amount includes $113.5 million in funding that has been made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to ensure that all grant awards are at a 100 percent federal share. The grants announced today will fund projects at 447 airports in 49 states. 

'Investing in our nation's infrastructure is how our country helped spark an aviation industry that now supports millions of jobs. These Airport Improvement Program grants will help modernize America's airports and ensure that our air transportation system remains the safest and most efficient in the world,' Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said today.

The AIP grants that Secretary Buttigieg announced were made available by the $3.35 billion in 'regular' AIP funding that Congress provided late last year as part of the FY 2021 omnibus appropriations package. This is the third round of grants released this year. DOT had previously announced over $700 million in FY 2021 AIP grants in separate announcements on February 19 and April 1. 

In addition to today's announcement of grant awards, FAA is promoting the 75th anniversary of the legislation that established the federal investment in airport infrastructure. On May 13, 1946, President Truman signed its predecessor, the Federal Airport Act. FAA has been highlighting the importance of federal investment in airports and celebrating the anniversary with an article that discusses the history of the program. 

For additional information, please see the complete list of grants announced today and the full press release.