
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) was established by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, and provides grants to public agencies and, in some cases, private owners and operators, for the planning and development of public-use airports and rural, non-primary airports. AIP grants are based on the need for airport planning, further development, adding capacity, or ensuring noise compatibility. AIP funds are typically first apportioned into major entitlement categories such as primary, cargo, and general aviation. The FAA must be able to determine that the projects are justified based on civil aeronautical demand, and the projects must meet federal environmental and procurement requirements.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of the program | Airport Improvement Program (AIP) |
Administering authority | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
Type of program | Grants-in-aid program |
Eligible recipients | Public agencies, private owners and entities, state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and affiliated groups, transportation providers and operators, private-sector applicants |
Eligible airports | Public-use airports and rural, "non-primary" airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) |
Funding sources | The Airport and Airways Trust Fund (derived from taxes and fees levied on airplane operations, such as taxes on airplane tickets and fuel) |
Funding distribution | Based on present national priorities and objectives; first apportioned into major entitlement categories (primary, cargo, and general aviation), with remaining funds distributed to a discretionary fund |
Funding amount | More than $3.35 billion annually (previously $3.5 billion) to more than 3,300 eligible airports |
Funding requirements | Projects must meet eligibility criteria, including improvements related to safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns; necessary professional services such as planning, surveying, and design may also be eligible |
Project sponsorship | Sponsors must meet requirements, ensure consistency with planning agencies, provide sufficient funds for non-federal portions, complete projects without undue delay, ensure airport safety and maintenance, and properly use airport revenue |
What You'll Learn
- AIP grants are based on the need for airport planning, development, capacity, and noise compatibility
- AIP funds are first apportioned into categories like primary, cargo, and general aviation
- AIP funding must be used for projects that meet federal environmental and procurement requirements
- AIP funds are distributed to public agencies, private owners, and entities for planning and development
- AIP grants are awarded to large airports based on passenger use and public-use general aviation
AIP grants are based on the need for airport planning, development, capacity, and noise compatibility
AIP grants are typically given based on the need for projects aimed at improving individual airport or state-wide efficiency and maintenance. These grants can be used for most capital improvements at an airport, necessary repairs, and, in some cases, terminals, hangars, and non-aviation-related facility developments. AIP funds can also be used for rehabilitation projects and, in specific situations, for non-aviation development.
To be eligible for AIP funding, a project must meet several requirements. These include meeting project sponsorship requirements, being reasonably consistent with the plans of planning agencies for the development of the area, and having sufficient funds available for the portion of the project not paid for by the Federal Government. The project must also be completed without undue delay and be included in the current version of the NPIAS.
The distribution of AIP funds is based on present national priorities and objectives. Funds are typically first apportioned into major entitlement categories such as primary, cargo, and general aviation. Remaining funds are distributed to a discretionary fund, with set-aside projects like airport noise and the Military Airport Program receiving priority attention.
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AIP funds are first apportioned into categories like primary, cargo, and general aviation
AIP, or the Airport Improvement Program, provides grants to public agencies and, in some cases, private owners and entities for the planning and development of public-use airports. AIP grants are based on the need for airport planning, further development, adding capacity, or ensuring noise compatibility. AIP funds are typically first apportioned into major entitlement categories, including primary, cargo, and general aviation.
Primary airports are those with scheduled commercial passenger services. These airports have a wide range of revenue sources, including taxes on airplane tickets and freight and various aviation-user taxes. The Federal government provides a smaller proportion of funding for these large airports, with federal grants contributing just over 10% of funding for the nation's 71 largest airports.
Cargo airports, on the other hand, have different revenue structures due to their focus on freight and cargo activity. These airports may receive AIP funding for projects related to enhancing airport capacity and efficiency, such as improving runways, taxiways, and airport signage.
General aviation (GA) airports, which serve a variety of communities across the country, also receive AIP grants. These grants are issued at the state level based on FAA guidelines and are used to improve safety and efficiency. While GA airports receive a higher proportion of federal funding than primary airports, with 50% of funding coming from federal sources, they still rely on various revenue streams, including taxes on aviation fuel used by general aviation aircraft.
In addition to these categories, AIP funds are also distributed to a discretionary fund. Set-aside projects, such as airport noise reduction and the Military Airport Program, receive priority attention from this discretionary distribution.
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AIP funding must be used for projects that meet federal environmental and procurement requirements
The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) provides grants to public agencies and, in some cases, to private owners and entities for the planning and development of public-use airports. AIP grants are also available for projects associated with individual public-use airports, including heliports and seaplane bases. To be eligible for a grant, an airport must be included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).
AIP funding is typically apportioned into major entitlement categories such as primary, cargo, and general aviation. Remaining funds are distributed to a discretionary fund, with set-aside projects such as airport noise and the Military Airport Program receiving priority.
Eligible projects for AIP funding include those related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns. Sponsors can receive AIP funds for airfield capital improvements, rehabilitation projects, and, in specific situations, for terminals, hangars, and non-aviation development. Certain professional services, such as planning, surveying, and design, may also be eligible for funding.
However, it is crucial to note that AIP funding must be used for projects that meet federal environmental and procurement requirements. This means that projects must adhere to specific standards and regulations outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AIP grant guidelines. Failure to meet these requirements may result in the project being deemed ineligible for AIP funding.
Some of the requirements for AIP funding include ensuring that the project is reasonably consistent with the development plans of the area where the airport is located, having sufficient funds available for the portion of the project not covered by the Federal Government, and completing the project without undue delay. Additionally, the project must involve more than $25,000 in AIP funds and be depicted on a current airport layout plan approved by the FAA.
By ensuring that AIP funding is used for projects that meet federal environmental and procurement requirements, airports can maintain compliance with applicable regulations and promote sustainable and responsible development.
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AIP funds are distributed to public agencies, private owners, and entities for planning and development
The NPIAS, published biennially, identifies public-use airports that are crucial for public transportation and contribute to civil aviation, national defence, and postal services. Recipients of AIP grants, referred to as "sponsors", must ensure that their projects align with the development plans of the area and meet federal environmental and procurement standards. Projects must also involve more than $25,000 in AIP funds and be depicted on a current airport layout plan approved by the FAA.
AIP funds are first apportioned into major entitlement categories such as primary, cargo, and general aviation. Remaining funds are allocated to a discretionary fund, with set-aside projects like airport noise reduction and the Military Airport Program receiving priority. Eligible projects encompass improvements related to safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns. AIP funding may be used for planning, construction, equipment, climate initiatives, accessibility enhancements, and more.
In addition to public agencies, AIP grants also benefit private airport owners and operators of rural, "non-primary" airports. More than 50% of AIP funding is directed towards small hub, non-hub, and non-primary entitlement airports. AIP grants have facilitated numerous airport improvements, with over 8,809 grants totalling $4.5 billion approved during the program's first 11 years.
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AIP grants are awarded to large airports based on passenger use and public-use general aviation
AIP, or the Airport Improvement Program, was established by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982. The program provides grants to public agencies and, in some cases, private owners and operators for the planning and development of public-use airports. AIP grants are awarded to large airports based on passenger use and public-use general aviation.
The FAA bases the distribution of AIP funds on present national priorities and objectives. AIP funds are first apportioned into major entitlement categories such as primary, cargo, and general aviation. The remaining funds are distributed to a discretionary fund, with set-aside projects such as airport noise and the Military Airport Program receiving top priority. AIP grants are typically awarded based on the need for projects aimed at improving individual airport or state-wide efficiency and maintenance.
To be eligible for AIP funding, projects must meet specific criteria, including safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns. AIP funds can be used for most capital improvements, rehabilitation projects, and, in some cases, terminals, hangars, and non-aviation development. The FAA must determine that the projects are justified based on civil aeronautical demand and must meet federal environmental and procurement requirements.
More than 50% of AIP funding must go to small hub and non-hub airports, with federal cost-sharing ranging from 70% to 95%. AIP funding has recently been reduced from $3.5 billion to $3.35 billion annually, impacting over 3,300 eligible airports. This reduction in funding highlights the need to maintain airport infrastructure and keep up with investment requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
AIP stands for Airport Improvement Program, which provides grants to public agencies and private airport owners for the planning and development of public-use airports. AIP funding comes from The Airport and Airways Trust Fund, which collects revenue from taxes and fees levied on airplane operations.
Airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) are eligible for AIP funding. More than 50% of AIP funding must go to small hub and non-hub airports, rural airports, and airports eligible for non-primary entitlements.
AIP funding can be used for projects related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns. This includes capital improvements such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, lighting, and markings. AIP funding can also be used for rehabilitation projects and, in some cases, for terminals, hangars, and non-aviation development.