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FAA to Provide More Funds to Aid Military-to-Civil Airport Conversions
The FAA will provide funding under its Military Airport Program (MAP) to former
military airports at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Marquette, Michigan,
Plattsburgh, New York and Killeen, Texas, to help them convert from military to
civilian use.
MAP uses federal AIP (airport
improvement program) funding to boost civilian aviation capacity by upgrading
former military airports. The airports selected are Portsmouth International
Airport, Sawyer International Airport at Marquette, Plattsburgh International
Airport, and Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport.
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 because it is believed they can
increase overall airport capacity.
The four airports selected this year are prior participants but have been included
again because they remain committed to ensuring their airports can operate as
civilian or joint military-civilian use facilities, according to the FAA.
Specifically:
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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.
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Sawyer International Airport will receive $2.6 million over three years to
renovate military aircraft hangars for civilian use and improve utilities.
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Portsmouth International Airport (formerly Pease Air Force Base) 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.
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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 at Waynesville, Missouri,
Cecil Field at Jacksonville, Florida, Kalaeloa Airport at Oahu, Hawaii, Griffiss
Airpark at Rome, New York, Stewart International at Newburgh, New York,
Rickenbacker Airport at Columbus, Ohio, Okaloosa County-Valparaiso/Eglin Air
Force Base at Valparaiso, Florida, Williams Gateway Airport at Mesa, Arizona,
Guam International at Agana, Guam, Sacramento Mather at Sacramento, California,
and San Bernardino International at San Bernardino, California. 09-10-2007. |