The FAA tells ANN that it will provide funding to four airports to help them convert from military to civilian use. The airports selected are Portsmouth International Airport, Portsmouth, NH; Sawyer International Airport, Marquette, MI; Plattsburgh International Airport, Plattsburgh, NY; and Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, Killeen, TX.

The MAP uses federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding to boost civilian aviation capacity by upgrading former military airports. With the need to increase capacity in the civilian aviation system as quickly and economically as possible, it makes sense to take advantage of the availability of former military airports.

A total of 15 airports may participate in the program at any one time, including one general aviation airport. Airports may receive financial assistance for up to five years.

Since 1990, the FAA has provided airport sponsors approximately $500 million for a variety of projects such as building or rehabilitating surface parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, utility systems, access roads, and cargo buildings. Many of these projects are not normally eligible for AIP funding, but projects for MAP-designated airports have unique eligibility rules to convert the airports to civilian use.

The four airports selected this year are prior participants in the program and are participating again because they remain committed to ensuring their airports can operate as civilian or joint military-civilian use facilities.
Additional information on the MAP selections is listed below:

Plattsburgh International Airport, Plattsburgh, NY, will receive funds for four years to conduct hangar work and acquire snow removal equipment. The airport does not have a project scheduled for 2007, but project funding will be part of the 2008 disbursements.
Sawyer International Airport, Marquette, MI, will receive $2.6 million over three years to renovate military aircraft hangars for civilian use and improve utilities.

Portsmouth International Airport (formerly Pease Air Force Base), Portsmouth, NH, will receive $.2.9 million for three years to make terminal security improvements, acquire snow removal equipment, and design and build a deicing/holding apron pad.
Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, Killeen, TX, will receive $285,000 for one year to expand the existing fueling area to meet current and projected operational requirements at the airport.

Airports already participating in the program include:  Waynesville Regional Airport, Waynesville, MO; Cecil Field, Jacksonville, FL; Kalaeloa Airport, Oahu, HI; Griffiss Airpark, Rome, NY; Stewart International, Newburgh, NY; Rickenbacker Airport, Columbus, OH; Okaloosa County-Valparaiso/Eglin Air Force Base, Valparaiso, FL; Williams Gateway Airport, Mesa, AZ; Guam International, Agana, Guam; Sacramento Mather, Sacramento, CA; and San Bernardino International, San Bernardino, CA.

FMI: www.faa.gov