Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

This program provides grants to public agencies—and, in some cases, to private airport owners and operators—for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Eligible projects include those improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns.  Explore AIP grant data by State.

This program typically funds planning and capital projects. The FAA Office of Airports has integrated a rural emphasis into AlP funding decisions, identifying rural airports as ‘nonprimary’ airports not located in a Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The AIP Handbook contains additional guidance and resources for completing an AIP application and can be found on the program website (hyperlinked in the program title for electronic viewers).

Learn more about the Airport Improvement Program.

Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Supplemental Grant Funding 

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 authorized five years of Supplemental Discretionary Funding. Supplemental funding is subject to annual appropriations from Congress. This program provides grants to public agencies—and, in some cases, to private airport owners and operators—for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the NPIAS. Eligible projects include those improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns.  As stated in the FY20 and FY21 Secretary’s Announcement, more than 50% of this funding must go to small hub and non hub airports and airports eligible for non-primary entitlements. These types of airports are more likely to be located in rural areas than urban areas.

Learn more about Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Supplemental Grant Funding.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)

The Airport Infrastructure and Airport Terminals programs under BIL provide grants to public agencies—and, in some cases, to private airport owners and operators—for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the NPIAS. These programs will modernize infrastructure, increase equity in transportation, help fight climate change, strengthen the supply chain, and create jobs. The Air Traffic Facilities program provided under BIL will improve safety and efficiency at our nation’s airports and address the physical condition of FAA’s air traffic control facilities by reducing the sustainment backlog and accelerating replacement of aging facilities.

Theses programs typically fund planning and capital projects. The FAA Office of Airports has integrated a rural emphasis into BIL funding decisions, identifying rural airports as ‘nonprimary’ airports not located in a Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. BIL grants also provides a specific funding share to non-hub and non-primary airports for terminal and tower projects. These types of airports are more likely to be located in rural areas than urban areas.

Additional guidance and resources for completing a BIL application and can be found on the BIL program website.

Additional FAA Resources

For more information on FAA programs, refer to the following resources and links.

FAA Regional Offices

The FAA operates offices and centers across the U.S. and around the world.  Headquartered in Washington, D.C., our nine regional, shared offices, and the William J. Hughes Technical Center and Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (Oklahoma City and Atlantic City) are strategically located around the globe.  In addition, FAA operates in every major and regional airport in the U.S.  See additional information about FAA Regional Offices.  

FAA Office of Airports:  Regional Offices and Airport District Offices (ADOs)

The FAA Office of Airports (ARP) is located in nine regional offices and twenty-two Airport District Offices (ADOs). In addition to administering the AIP, AIP supplemental discretionary, and BIL programs, the Airports organization provides leadership to airport owners and operators (as well as other key stakeholders) to ensure that U.S. airports are as safe and efficient as possible. ARP's goal is to optimize the safety, security, capacity, efficiency, economic and environmental sustainability, and fiscal responsibility of airports, with due consideration of State and local government priorities as well as the rights of private land owners and commercial stakeholders. Find contact information for an FAA Airports Regional Office or ADO “FAA Airports Regional Office or ADO”  in your area.

Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program

The Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program allows the collection of PFC fees up to $4.50 for every eligible passenger at commercial airports controlled by public agencies. PFCs are capped at $4.50 per flight segment with a maximum of two PFCs charged on a one-way trip or four PFCs on a round trip, for a maximum of $18 total. Issuing carriers and their agents shall not collect PFCs from passengers on any flight to an eligible point on an air carrier receiving Essential Air Service (EAS) compensation (learn more about EAS under DOT Resources below). Airports use PFCs to fund FAA-approved capital projects that enhance safety, security, and capacity; reduce noise; and increase air carrier competition. See additional information about the PFC Program. 

Aviation Workforce Development Grants Awards

The 2022 recipients of the Aviation Workforce Development Grants will help educate the next generation of aviation professionals across the United States in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Find additional information about Aviation Workforce Development Grants Awards.

DOT Resources

For more information on DOT programs, refer to the following resources and links.

Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES)

Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) is an initiative to address disparities in rural transportation infrastructure. Specifically, rural transportation infrastructure’s unique challenges need to be considered in order to meet our nation’s priority transportation goals of safety and economic competitiveness. Please visit the ROUTES program website.

Essential Air Service (EAS) Program

The Essential Air Service (EAS) Program was put into place to guarantee that small communities that were served by certificated air carriers before airline deregulation maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is mandated to provide eligible EAS communities with access to the National Air Transportation System. DOT currently subsidizes commuter and certificated air carriers to serve approximately 60 communities in Alaska and 115 communities in the lower 48 contiguous states that otherwise would not receive any scheduled air service. See additional information about the EAS Program. 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)

Visit DOT’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law webpage to learn more about its historic investment in America’s infrastructure.