U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,023,500 in federal funding for Orange County Airport. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This federal funding will transform the Orange County Airport, located in the Village of Montgomery, by allowing it to make major safety upgrades to the main runway. The runway will be moved 1,000 feet north and 8 degrees to the right, creating approximately 1,000 feet on either side of the runway for a safety area and airport blast pads. These improvements will help pilots as they approach the airport by providing a total of 2,400 feet to the runway and surrounding areas for increased landing safety.
“Keeping our airport runways in top-notch shape is crucial to attracting business and tourism to the region,” said Senator Schumer. “With this funding, the Orange County Airport will be able to make the critical upgrades necessary to ensure its runway is cleared for take-off and safe for the passengers and pilots that fly in and out of the Hudson Valley every day.”
“This funding will help support safety upgrades to Orange County Airport,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Investing in our airport’s infrastructure enables safer, more efficient service for the businesses and travelers who rely on it every day. I will continue to push for funding to help ensure there is timely, safe air travel New Yorkers can rely on.”
This funding for Orange County Airport is part of the Airport Improvement Program and is administered by DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Funds obligated for the AIP are drawn from the Airport and Airway Trust fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources.