Eight airports around Alabama will share in $8.29 million in Federal Aviation Administration funding for infrastructure and safety improvements and land acquisition.
Mobile Downtown Airport will receive the lion’s share — $4.8 million to rehabilitate an apron. Mobile Airport Authority is in the process of moving commercial passenger traffic from the Mobile Regional Airport to the downtown facility at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley.
Huntsville Executive Airport will receive $1.76 million for an environmental study and runway rehabilitation.
Other airports receiving FAA funds in this award are:
- Evergreen Regional Airport-Middleton Field, Evergreen, Alabama — $743,933 to rehabilitate a taxiway
- L. (Sonny) Callahan Airport, Fairhope, Alabama — $150,000 to acquire land for development
- Robbins Field Airport, Oneonta, Alabama — $85,469 to conduct an airport-related environmental study and improve drainage and erosion control
- Scottsboro Municipal Airport-Word Field, Scottsboro, Alabama — $94,906 to acquire land for development
- Shelby County Airport, Alabaster, Alabama — $401,186 to construct, modify, improve and rehabilitate a hangar
- Wetumpka Municipal Airport, Wetumpka, Alabama — $189,851 to mark, light, and remove an obstruction and acquire easement for approaches
In announcing the FAA grants, Sen. Richard Shelby said: “I am proud our state is receiving $8.29 million in FAA grant funding to advance airport infrastructure throughout Alabama. These grants are important investments in the safety, security, and growth of our local airports, which contribute to the state’s overall economic success. The improvements will support rural development and the quality of travel in Alabama.”
Mobile Airport Authority President Chris Curry said of the Downtown Airport funding, “This project is one more step in improving our facility for future commercial air service, our current tenants, and potential economic development opportunities in our region.”