Aug. 29--BELLINGHAM -- Bellingham International Airport is receiving two federal grants totaling about $1.1 million to upgrade the aircraft deicing facility and to fix an apron used by private aircraft.
The deicing project is meant to enable crews to handle more aircraft quickly during the winter, at a cost of $500,000. A second grant of $655,000 will help rehabilitate a general aviation apron that has reaching the end of its useful life.
Port of Bellingham Aviation Director Dan Zenk said the port had been expecting the money as part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program. The airport gets a share of program funds based on the number of departing passengers that use the airport each year.
U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen announced the grants.
"These federal dollars will help the airport run smoothly year round and allow more flights to stay on schedule even during the cold winter months," DelBene said.
Reach John Stark at 360-715-2274 or [email protected]. Read his Politics Blog at bellinghamherald.com/politics-blog or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldpolitics.
Copyright 2013 - The Bellingham Herald (Bellingham, Wash.)
