The State and Future of Airport Funding

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There has been a lot of controversy over the years about the federal government’s involvement and financial obligation to the airway industry. The construction of runways and taxiways are the largest development cost at hub airports and terminal development is second (Sanchez, 2006). The introduction of the Airport Improvement Plan (AIP) was the start of any significant federal funding for airports and the air industry. There has been an interest in privatization of airports and several attempts. This paper will discuss some of the basic information about the AIP and airport funding.

History

The first federal assistance given to airports or the air industry was the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In the 1930s, almost $150 million dollars was spent as a part of the WPA projects on airports. Airport expenses and funding were considered a local responsibility until World War II. It was during WWII that there was first any significant federal support for airport construction. After the war the federal government continued to aid airports, but at a lower level. The federal government contributed greatly in the 1960s when airports had to be upgraded due to the use of commercial jets (Kirk, 2009).

The Airport and Airway Development Act of 1970 set the basis for the Airport Development aid Program (ADAP) and the Planning Grant Program (PGP). It was put in place to help finance reconstruction due to the congestion problems Kirk, 2009). The act established the Aviation Trust Fund. The Aviation Trust Fund is the major source of federal aid to airports (Kirk, 2009). Due to debating about the possible “defederalization” of airports, Congress did not support the trust fund during 1981-1982.

The Wendell H. ford Aviation...

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...rt improvement program (AIP): reauthorization issues for

congress. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b1defdac-0749-4471-82e5-cb516c6a973c%40sessionmgr113&vid=6&hid=127

Obama budget proposes cuts in airport funding. (2011, Feb 21). Air Safety Week, 25(8).

Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/ehost/detail?sid=b1defdac-0749-4471-82e5-cb516c6a973c%40sessionmgr113&vid=7&hid=127&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=tsh&AN=58683575

Sanchez, H. (2006, Oct 27). Airports plan $41b of improvements, up from two years ago.

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Young S. & Wells, A. (2011). Airport Planning and Management (6th ed.). New York, New

York: McGraw Hill

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