U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $45,000 in federal funding for the Wellsville Municipal Airport in Allegany County. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This grant will fund the removal of obstructions on the Runway 10/28 approach and transitional surfaces to improve runway 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 Wellsville Municipal Airport will be able to make the critical infrastructure and runway upgrades increase safety for the passengers and pilots that fly in and out of Allegany County every day.”
“This funding will help advance runway safety operations at Wellsville Municipal Airport,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Wellsville Municipal is a vital economic anchor in Allegany County that businesses and travelers rely on every day. I will continue to push for funding to help ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
“This grant is for the design & bid preparation to remove the terrain obstructions to the Primary Surface and Transitional Surface for three areas on the airport property,” said Town Supervisor Darwin l. Fanton. “The completion of the proposed obstruction removal will enable the airport to address nearly all obstructions identified based on surfaces associated with runway for non-precision approach and visibility minimums of greater than 3/4 miles. When this is completed the town will apply, in the next grant cycle, for the actually removal of these obstructions.”
This funding is awarded through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) 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.