Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a $4,491,000 federal grant to the Syracuse Hancock International Airport for important infrastructure improvements. Specifically, this investment from the FAA via the Airport Improvement Program will allow Syracuse Hancock International Airport to construct a new taxiway and apron to allow more planes to stay overnight in Syracuse.
“This Federal Aviation Administration grant will create more overnight space at Syracuse Airport and make the runway more modern, safer and more efficient,” said Senator Schumer. “This job-creating infrastructure project will ensure that the Syracuse Airport can continue to serve businesses, residents and visitors and help boost the area’s economy.”
“This is an important investment for Syracuse Hancock Airport and the central New York region,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Improving the airport’s runway can help provide better, safer service for travelers and business, and help strengthen the local economy.”
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.