Virginia Department of Aviation

Funds for Aviation included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R.3684) was passed by the House of Representatives on November 5, 2021 and will go straight to the President’s desk for signature.  Out of the $550 billion bill, $15 billion will be for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) type grants to airports and spread out over five years.

Aviation-related components of the bill include:

$15 billion ($3 billion per year) for AIP type projects

  • $2.48 billion would be for primary airports and certain cargo airports
  • $500 million would be for general aviation and non-primary commercial service airports
  • $20 million would be for airports participating in the contract tower program and the contract tower cost share program to sustain, construct, improve, or replace/relocate non approach control towers and acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment.

USDOT may use any unobligated funds (at the end of the fourth fiscal year after they were made available) for competitive grants to reduce airport emissions, noise impact, dependence on the electrical grid, or provide general benefits to the surrounding community.

 $5 billion ($1 billion per year) for the Airport Terminal Program, a discretionary grant program for terminal development and other landside projects spread out over 5 years.

  • Large hub airports would receive 55 percent
  • Medium hub airports would receive 20 percent
  • Nonhub and nonprimary airports would receive 10 percent of the funds

The Federal share would be 80 percent for large and medium hub airports and 95 percent for small hub, nonhub, and non-primary airports.

The USDOT may provide grants under this program for a project at any airport that is eligible to receive a grant from the discretionary fund.

$5 billion for FAA’s Facilities and Equipment, of which $200 million is for FAA-owned ATC facilities and FAA-owned contract towers. This funding is spread out over five years and subject to congressional approval each fiscal year.