Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a $2,442,150 federal grant to the Chautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport for important infrastructure improvements. Specifically, this investment from the FAA via the Airport Improvement Program will allow the Chautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport to move forward with plans to extend the runway and upgrade their taxiway, improving safety and encouraging more flights.
“With this vital federal investment Chautauqua County Dunkirk Airport is cleared for take-off. This Federal Aviation Administration grant will ensure that the Chautauqua County Dunkirk Airport can better serve residents and visitors to Western New York Region and will boost the area’s economy,” said Schumer. “Renovation the runway will improve safety and encourage more flights in and out of the region.”
“This is an important investment for the Chautauqua County Dunkirk Airport,” Senator Gillibrand said. “An updated runway and taxiway will help provide better, safer service for travelers, and help open up better access to Western New York.”
“Public Aviation is crucial to furthering our community’s commercial success, recreation and overall mobility,” said George Spanos, Director of Faculties. “I am excited that this grant will allow Chautauqua County Dunkirk Airport to renovate the runway. I want to thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for helping to facilitate this Grant, and fighting for the best interests of Dunkirk residents.”
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) through the Federal Aviation Administration provides grants to public agencies — and, in some cases, to private owners and entities — for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). The NPIAS, which is prepared and published every 2 years, identifies public-use airports that are important to public transportation and contribute to the needs of civil aviation, national defense, and the Postal Service.
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) was established by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982. Since then, the AIP has been amended several times, most recently with the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. 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.