U.S. airports are putting an emphasis on increasing capacity as they approach the second year of funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
According to the 2023 Airport Business Infrastructure Survey, 54% of airport leaders cite expanded capacity as the No. 1 goal of their organization with applying and investing in infrastructure upgrades under the expanded federal funding. One-third want to increase energy efficiency while 25% are utilizing funds to increase ADA accessibility.
The federal infrastructure law allots $25 billion in additional federal funding for airports during a five-year period to upgrade facilities and increase energy efficiency goals.
Facility upgrades are the top destination for any BIL funding. Sixty-two percent of airports said they will invest BIL funds towards facility upgrades, while 51% will focus on runway and taxiway expansion/repair. About 28% will focus funds on boarding bridge replacement and 21% will use the this as an opportunity to upgrade or replace baggage handling systems.
Forty-seven percent of respondents said they’ll be applying for BIL funding in 2023, which is a 16% increase over those who said they applied for the funds in 2022. About 28% said they’ll be applying for Airport Terminal Program (ATP) funding.
Supply chain and labor shortages in the post-pandemic era aren’t scaring off airport leaders applying for the funds. Seventy-nine percent of respondents said they’re confident they can meet the deadlines set forth under the BIL funding requirements. Only 14% cite supply chain issues as concerns and 10% face local labor challenges. Forty-one percent of .
EAGLE Sees Traction in Early Days
The nationwide initiative to Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) by 2030 is seeing a response from some airport leaders in the industry in its early days.
According to the survey, only 28% of airports have adjusted capital planning to meet EAGLE initiative goals since the program launched. Despite widespread industry leadership and buy-in from leadership across the aviation industry, airports say they’re biggest concerns with EAGLE are:
- 47% Lack of Funding /Resources
- 32% Other Capital Programs Need More Immediate Attention
- 27% Local FBOs Unable to Undertake Capital Investment in Infrastructure to Meet Goals
- 25% Unclear of the Role Airport Must Take to Meet Goals
- 13% Lack of Local Buy-in From Airport Board/Leadership
These challenges come as 23% of survey respondents said they’re focusing 2023 capital spend on upgrading fuel and fueling equipment at their airport. Only 13% said lead fuel/emissions mitigation was an important issue to address in the upcoming FAA Reauthorization, which begins this year.
Issues cited as more important under the bill include:
- 47% General Aviation Discretionary Funding
- 33% Modifying Facilities & Equipment Funding
- 27% Modifying General Aviation Grant Assurances
- 25% Modifying the AIP Funding
- 18% State Block Grant Expansion Program
The Airport Business 2023 Infrastructure Survey was conducted in November-December 2022 with airport leaderships from both commercial and general aviation airports. Each airport was given one opportunity to provide feedback on how they’re spending capital funds in the upcoming year to provide an industry-wide look at current and future capital spending.
The full report and how airports are looking at equipment and capital investment technology can be accessed at AviationPros.com/21292936
