82% of Communities In The State Are Accessible Only By Air

The FAA will award seven Alaska airports a total of $42 million in Airport Improvement Program grants to help with safety, access and sustainability efforts. The FAA has awarded more than 64 grants totaling $257.4 million to Alaska airports during fiscal year 2021.

“These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to the unique needs of the Alaska aviation community and our focus on supporting the extensive Alaska National Airspace System,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.

In Alaska, approximately 82% of communities are only accessible by air. Aviation in Alaska is critical to daily operations in the state, including life saving supplies, food distribution, transportation, medical evacuations and commuting.

“Transportation connectivity is paramount to reach communities throughout our great nation. These grants are key to achieve that goal,” said Arlando Teller, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tribal Affairs.

According to the FAA, the projects announced will not have to pay the usual local match thanks to nearly $100 million in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.

The Alaska grants include:

• Bethel Airport in Bethel, Alaska: an additional $6.0 million
• Chefornak Airport in Chefornak, Alaska: $6.6 million
• Kipnuk Airport, Kipnuk, Alaska: $18.9 million
• Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai, Alaska: $506,500
• Warren "Bud" Woods Palmer Municipal Airport, Palmer, Alaska: $526,000
• Atqasuk Edward Burnell Sr. Memorial Airport, Atqasuk, Alaska: add an additional $3.1 million
• Metlakatla Airport, Metlakatla, Alaska: $6.5 million

The Airport Improvement Program receives approximately $3.2 billion in funding each year. A complete listing of grants and AIP Grants Data by State is on the FAA website.

FMI: www.faa.gov/airports/aip/2021_aip_grants