(The Center Square) – Three Virginia airports have been awarded nearly $57 million in federal funding to aid in expansions and improvements, the latest in several rounds of funding for airports across the commonwealth.
Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced the news Tuesday. The Democrats touted the funds made possible through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminals Program as part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
The bulk of the funding, $40 million, will go to Washington Dulles International Airport to assist in constructing a 400,000-square-foot terminal, including 14 new gates. The terminal will be accessible by the Aerotrain and offer an indirect connection to the Metro.
Previously, the senators announced $104.6 million in combined federal funding for the new terminal at Dulles. In 2022, they announced $46.9 million funding, and in 2023, they announced $20 million to support the construction of the new concourse.
Norfolk International Airport is set to receive nearly $15 million to improve roadway access and traffic flow in and out of the main terminal area. Another $2.2 million will be awarded to Richmond International Airport to design a “proposed” consolidated passenger screening area aimed at improving passenger flow more efficiently.
The latest round of funding comes on the heels of a September announcement that the commonwealth would receive over $46 million to improve airports, including more than $8 million for Norfolk International Airport to rehabilitate a runway.
The senators are touting the latest round of funding, saying expansions and improvements are vital to serving the needs of Virginians, businesses and visitors.
“Virginia’s airports help Virginians and visitors get where they need to go and serve as critical economic development hubs,” said the senators. “We’re glad this funding, which was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will make important upgrades to help airports across Virginia operate smoothly. We will keep working to bolster Virginia’s infrastructure and grow our economy.”
Northern Virginia is experiencing a boom in air travel, and plans are underway to expand Manassas Regional Airport to offer commercial flights.
As previously reported by The Center Square, the Manassas City Council unanimously voted to expand commercial flight operations. When the two-phased project is complete, the airport is expected to add 18-24 flights daily. The Manassas airport expansion is expected to cost between $75 million and $125 million.
In addition, the debate to expand the flight perimeter at Ronald Reagan National Airport persists. There is a push to offer additional direct flights to the West Coast. However, the expansion has faced pushback from Capitol Hill, including Kaine and Warner, who say the airport’s runway is “already the busiest in the country” and could put “passenger safety at serious jeopardy.”
