December 5, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration today released another round of infrastructure grants for airports that participate in the FAA Contract Tower Program to upgrade sponsor-owned air traffic control towers. Twenty FCT airports in 15 states will share a total of $20 million for tower-related projects.
The bipartisan infrastructure law included a total of $25 billion for aviation over five years. Of that amount, $15 billion is for airport infrastructure grants, $5 billion for airport terminal projects, and $5 billion for air traffic facilities.
AAAE and USCTA successfully convinced Congress to provide at least $300 million for FCT airports to repair, replace, and relocate aging air traffic control towers. Of that amount, $100 million is reserved for FCT airports to upgrade sponsor-owned towers or $20 million annually.
Today’s announcement is the fourth round of funding for the FCT Competitive Grant program and covers Fiscal Year 2025. The FAA has correctly pointed out in the past that the goal of this funding is “to sustain, construct, repair, improve, modernize, replace or relocate airport-owned towers and install communications equipment.”
The competitive grants that the agency unveiled today ranged from $185,000 to $2 million to rehabilitate towers. The list of FCT airports that will receive funding may be viewed here.
Not surprisingly, there is far more demand than available funds. The FAA indicated that the agency received 82 applications for $191 million in requests for FCT airports with sponsor-owned towers.
Related Information
- The list of FCT airports that will receive FY25 funding may be viewed here.
- More information on the FCT Competitive Grant Program and previous rounds of funding may be viewed here.
USCTA Membership Reminder
Thanks to those contract tower airports that have already paid their 2024 USCTA dues. For those airports that have yet to renew their membership including those that have received funds from the FCT Competitive Grant Program, please contact Brad Van Dam at 703-797-2534 to ensure you continue to receive regular updates on grant opportunities and other contract tower related matters.