Airports Around the U.S. Are Getting a $1 Billion Boost From the Government — Where Travelers Will See Improvements

16.02.2024 - 17:27 / travelandleisure.com / Pete Buttigieg

Airports across the United States are about to get a makeover thanks to a $970 million investment from the federal government.

The funds were awarded to more than 100 airports across 44 different states and three territories, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The money will be used for a variety of improvements from increasing gate capacity and creating larger security checkpoints to improving baggage handling systems, and more.

“Under this administration, we are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernizing the physical infrastructure,” Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “These investments we’re announcing today, made possible by President Biden’s historic infrastructure package, will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.”

Each airport will use the awarded funds for different projects. Washington Dulles International Airport, for example, will receive $35 million to help construct a 14-gate, 400,000-square-foot terminal building, while Salt Lake City International Airport will similarly use its $20 million investment to fund part of its Concourse B terminal expansion.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, however, will use the $40 million it received to make general improvements to its Terminal 3, including increasing the width of its central passenger corridor, reconfiguring its TSA checkpoint, updating its baggage system, and adding a new ADA-compliant and family restroom. And Denver International Airport will spend its $26.6 million to help replace its baggage handling system.

Of the total grants awarded, nine airports will use the funding to improve their airport-owned traffic control towers, including Minnesota’s Duluth International Airport and Maryland’s Martin State Airport in Middle River.

The grants were each funded by the Airport Terminal Program, an aviation program created by the Biden administration's Infrastructure Law, according to the DOT. Last year, the government similarly awarded nearly $1 billion for airport improvement projects across the country.

The Infrastructure Law was first passed in 2021 and has since been used for a variety of projects, including plans to expand electric vehicle charging across the country.