Warwick, RI – September 15, 2023 – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) today expressed appreciation to U.S. Senator Jack Reed and the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation for their efforts to secure more than $60 million in federal funding for Rhode Island’s public airports for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released a list of over $1 billion in national infrastructure grants as part of the FY23 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) discretionary grants, which includes $30,961,816 in AIP funding for Rhode Island’s six public airports. Senator Reed, a key member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, as well as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also helped secure $29,881,547 in Department of Defense funding for runway reconstruction and rehabilitation at Quonset State Airport.
The total amount of FY23 federal funding of $60,843,363 marks the largest federal funding amount in airport history, eclipsing the $45,512,884 in federal funding secured in FY14.
“The Rhode Island Airport Corporation and its Board of Directors are extremely grateful to Senator Jack Reed and all in our Congressional Delegation for their tireless work on behalf of our state,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “These federal funds provide critical support to maintain and improve our state and national aviation system, as well as ensure that the Rhode Island Air National Guard has the infrastructure needed to fulfil its vital missions for decades to come.”
The federal funding includes:
- $2,525,248 for Aircraft Apron Expansion at Block Island State Airport;
- $42,970,816 for Runway 16-34 Reconstruction and Rehabilitation at Quonset State Airport (including $13,067,910 in AIP funding and $29,881,547 in Department of Defense funding);
- $10,900,903 for Taxiway C Reconstruction at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport;
- $1,611,096 in Utility Improvements, Grading and Environmental Assessments for air cargo facilities at PVD;
- $1,000,000 for Apron Rehabilitation at North Central State Airport;
- $1,835,300 for Security and Wildlife Fencing at Westerly State Airport;
On top of this federal funding, Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee who oversees transportation funding, has helped direct over $270 million to Rhode Island’s airports over the last decade and secured a $1 million earmark for terminal upgrades at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in the FY23 Consolidated Appropriations law.
“This record amount of federal support truly illustrates the extraordinary achievements of our state’s representatives in Washington,” said RIAC Board Chair Jonathan Savage. “These critical infrastructure investments are vital both to our national defense, and our efforts to help the state’s economy thrive.”
About Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport: A convenient and low-cost gateway to New England, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) has a large catchment area with 7.5 million residents within 90 minutes of the airport. It attracts passengers from nearby Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut. PVD is located just outside of Providence, Rhode Island. Well known for ease of traveler access, affordable parking, and faster security lines, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport was named as one of USA Today’s “Readers’ Choice Best Small Airports” for 2021, has been consistently ranked in the “Top Ten” or better in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards, and in 2022 was named 4th “Best Airport” in the U.S. in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. More information is available at https://flyri.com/.
