Airport

FAA Awards Nearly $1 Billion To 99 Airports

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is granting over $1 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to 99 airports of all shapes and sizes around the nation, with air traffic projected to reach or surpass pre-pandemic levels this year.

The funding helps meet the growing demand for air travel and invests in key areas to help get travelers in and out of airports more quickly and improve the passenger experience by investing in new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints and improved ground transportation. Other projects increase terminal sustainability and improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Several grants will address the needs of aging air traffic control towers. The investments will go to airports in 47 states and two territories.

Qantas Launches $10M Regional Grants Program – Applications Open(Opens in a new browser tab)

Many grants contain an element that will build new or expanded terminal facilities. Among them are:

$10.8 million to Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa:
$29 million to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City, Utah:

Many grants contain an element that will make passenger check-in more efficient by improving security-screening areas. Among them are:

$10 million to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Sarasota, Fla
$6.5 million to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Ga
$50 million to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill.
$5 million to Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, S.C
$16 million to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, Wash

Many grants contain an element that will improve passenger experience, including more reliable and faster baggage systems. Among them are:

$4.4 million to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska:
$4.3 million to Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport in Lawton, Okla.
$38 million to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Md
$5 million to Bradley International Airport in Winsor Locks, Conn.

Today’s funding is from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law provides $1 billion annually for five years for Airport Terminal Program grants. In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided a historic $25 billion to modernize country’s airport infrastructure. Learn more at www.faa.gov/bil.

Airport

Western Sydney Airport Welcomes Its First Plane After 6 Years of construction

In a historic milestone for Australia’s aviation sector, the first plane has officially taken off and landed at Western Sydney Airport after six years of construction, much to the delight of a small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planespotters.

A test pilot made the inaugural landing using a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, successfully completing a series of take-off and landing runs on the newly built tarmac. This crucial test paves the way for larger passenger aircraft, which are expected to start using the runway in two years.

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The Piper PA-30 was employed to assess the airport’s approximately 3,000 Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) by executing operations in various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and evening. This testing ensures that the lighting system is fit for purpose and ready to welcome aircraft when the airport opens to commercial flights in late 2026.

The pilot also highlighted that the rapid exit taxiways have been designed at a 45-degree angle, allowing for quicker transitions on and off the runway. Once operational, the airport will feature a single runway capable of handling up to 10 million passengers annually right from day one.

Qatar Airways Launches new Flights From Doha To Toronto

As the construction phase nears completion, the airport’s main terminal, apron, and supporting infrastructure will be ready to accommodate around 81,000 flights each year. This milestone marks a significant moment for Western Sydney Airport, the first new airport to open in Australia since Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport more than two decades ago.

Major airlines, including Qantas and Jetstar, have already committed to operating from the 24/7 facility, signaling strong support for this new hub. By 2033, the airport aims to handle up to 10 million passengers and facilitate extensive air traffic movements annually.