Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that Chautauqua County/Dunkirk airport is set to receive $1,124,550 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding for airport facility upgrades and to develop a plan for future airport needs.
“Keeping Chautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport in top-notch shape is critical to attracting business and tourism to the region,” said Schumer. “These federal dollars will go a long way toward helping the county make much-needed upgrades to the airport and plan for future projects that will make sure the airport continues to be a regional leader for years to come.”
“Airport safety should always be a top priority,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal dollars will help support infrastructure upgrades to improve the Chautauqua County/Dunkirk airport, ensuring better, safer service for the thousands of New Yorkers they serve per year.”
“I am thrilled to receive the notice that our general aviation apron at Dunkirk Airport will be resurfaced later this summer thanks to a grant from the FAA,” said Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan. “The current apron has reached the end of its useful life and will soon be unsuitable to support our corporate jet and private aircraft operations. I want to especially thank Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer for their help in obtaining this important grant for Chautauqua County.”
Chautauqua County/Dunkirk airport will use this federal funding to construct a Pavement Maintenance Management Plan (PMMP) to determine future pavement maintenance and rehabilitation needs for the airport. The funding will also be used to rehabilitate the general aviation apron, which will include milling and overlay pavement improvements as well as, markings, and drainage improvements to create safer and more efficient airport operations.
The funding for Chautauqua County/Dunkirk airport is a part of 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.