Federal Aviation Administration awards Albany airport $10.6 million
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration has awarded Albany International Airport a total of $10.6 million in competitive federal funding from the Airport Terminal Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law, U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Charles Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced.
The Democratic New York senators said in a press release the funding will go towards rehabilitation and infrastructure improvements in Airport Terminal A, including expanding hold room capacity, adding two new Passenger Boarding Bridges and improving the HVAC and electrical system.
“When I became majority leader, I promised to deliver the federal funding needed to grow the Albany Airport and give them the modern upgrades they need, and this $10 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law I led to passage is the latest in helping the Albany Airport revitalization soar,” Schumer said in the release. “Now with shovels already in the ground for the Albany Airport transformation, federal funding like this will help ensure the improvements provide a smoother trip for Capital Region passengers.
“A modern and well-maintained airport means continued success and the ability to attract customers, grow the airport and provide opportunities to attract new routes, connecting customers to more destinations and visitors to Albany,” he continued, “and I am proud to have landed these federal dollars for the Capital Region and help our local economy reach new heights.”
“New York’s airports welcome millions of travelers each year and play a crucial role in facilitating tourism and spurring economic growth,” Gillibrand said in the release. “This funding will ensure the necessary improvements are made so travelers have safe, modern and efficient facilities. I am proud to have worked to deliver this funding and will continue fighting to bring vital modernization and improvements to our local airports across New York State.”
Schumer and Gillibrand said in the release that the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law provided $5 billion in competitive grants for airport terminal development projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports, and this represents the latest round of funding.
Last year, the Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse and Binghamton airports received a total of nearly $25 million in competitive federal funding through the program to modernize airport terminals. According to the release, Schumer also delivered $28 million over the next five years through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law to Albany Airport, which helped kick-start the airport’s terminal expansion that is currently underway, and $13.4 million in the American Rescue Plan.
“Concourse A was built over 45 years ago and today’s announcement underscores the importance of continuing to invest in ALB as an economic driver for the Capital Region,” said Philip Calderone, CEO at Albany International Airport, in the release. “As a result of this award, we will be able to make significant improvements to the concourse such as replacing aging infrastructure, increasing passenger access and improving energy efficiency.
“This investment will also allow for the construction of two new gates and boarding bridges which will in turn provide opportunities for new routes and airlines,” he continued. “I’d like to thank Sen. Schumer, Sen. Gillibrand, and Congressman (Paul) Tonko for their continued leadership and unwavering commitment to Albany International Airport — The Gateway to the Capital Region.”