Last year more than 819 million domestic passengers took flights in the US.  That was a considerable increase from 750.6 million fliers in 20222. This shows a growing trend of Americans opting for flights, which are often comfortable and faster than other modes of transportation, especially in a large country like the US. 

With funding from the IIJA and other federal bills, there has been a lot of improvements and upgrades in the airport sector.  New development projects have occurred at both larger international airports and smaller local ones, bringing them up to speed with the demands of 21st-century travelers. 

In the recent round of funding, the Senate has approved a bill allocating nearly $20 billion for airport improvement projects. This substantial investment is part of a broader $105 billion reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spanning five years.

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) will be the primary beneficiary of this funding, receiving $19.7 billion over the next five fiscal years. This translates to $3.4 billion for the remainder of the current fiscal year and a consistent $4 billion annually after that. The bill now awaits approval from the House of Representatives before heading to President Biden’s desk for final sign-off.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has stated that, “under this administration, we are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernizing the physical infrastructure.” 

Established in 1982, the AIP has supported airport development nationwide. Over 3,000 airports, ranging from small regional facilities to major international hubs, are eligible for AIP funding. Recent AIP grants have supported projects such as the construction of a new terminal at Washington Dulles International Airport, TSA checkpoint upgrades at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, and infrastructure improvements at Spokane International Airport, among others.

Ranking member Ted Cruz explains, “Today the Senate overwhelmingly passed a major FAA Reauthorization that will modernize and transform our country’s aviation system. It was a privilege to lead this significant piece of bipartisan legislation.” He further continued, “Our country’s aviation sector is the linchpin of our economy. The historic investments and reforms in this legislation will have a significant impact on the daily lives of people across Texas and the nation.”

The historic bill entails:

1. $66.7 billion for FAA operations for vital safety programs such as aircraft certification reform and air carrier oversight, and to facilitate the hiring, training, and retention of safety-critical personnel.
2. $17.8 billion for FAA facilities and equipment to fund the upgrade of critical technologies and systems to ensure the development of the US airspace system.
3. $19.35 billion in FAA airport infrastructure enhancement awards will help more than 3,300 airports around the country meet rising demand and integrate emerging technologies.
4. $1.59 billion for FAA research, engineering, and development in support of innovative and sustainable aeronautical technology.
5. $738 million for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for fiscal years 2024 to 2028.

Apart from financial appropriation, the bill also mentions mandates for improving aviation safety, like enhancing aircraft certification reforms, 25-hour cockpit voice recording technologies, and improving cabin air quality, among others. It also addresses growing and supporting the aviation workforce, such as growing veteran pilot pool, supporting women in aviation, etc.