By james art PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Three Inland Empire airports will use grants through a Federal Aviation Administration program to make improvements for travelers. Most recently, Palm Springs International Airport received $6 million from the Federal Aviation Administration this week for terminal improvements, according to a recent news release.
It’s part of roughly $970 million in funding provided to national airports.
The grant will help upgrade Palm Springs Airport’s outbound baggage system and expand the outbound terminal to accommodate the increase in outbound passengers, according to Harry Barrett, PSP executive director.
“Following two consecutive years of record passenger numbers at PSP, this funding is vital to our mission to provide seamless and efficient travel for our guests,” Barrett said. “This grant from the FAA allows us to expand our
departure baggage area to meet current and future demand, supporting the growth of our airport and the needs of our community.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg released a statement on the importance of investing in our nation’s airports:
“Investing in America’s airport infrastructure isn’t just about upgrading runways and terminals — it’s about growing local economies, creating jobs and ensuring the safety and efficiency of travel,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “With the grants we’re announcing today — totaling nearly $1 billion — we’re helping modernize 125 airports across the country to make their operations safer, more accessible and more convenient for travelers.”
A total of 125 airport-related projects across the country received funding.
The money awarded to Palm Springs International Airport was for “demolition of existing foundations and exterior walls of the building, and construction of a new foundation to expand the existing terminal.”
According to Barrett, construction on the upgrades is scheduled to begin in late 2025 after the City Council formally accepts the funding. He said a design, planning and development phase would follow the acceptance of the funds and all funds must be used within four years.
In the Inland Empire, Ontario International Airport and San Bernardino International Airport also received millions in funding for improvement projects. Several other Southern California airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, John Wayne Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport and San Diego International Airport, also received funding for improvement projects.
Ontario International Airport was earmarked for $4 million in runway and taxiway rehabilitation projects, while San Bernardino International Airport will receive $1.5 million, according to the FAA.
Los Angeles International Airport received $30 million for the Terminal Roadways project, which includes “construction of roadways, ramps, bridges, pedestrian bridges, intersection improvements, traffic signals/controls, traffic monitoring/control equipment, street lighting, signs and stripes and sidewalks.”
Santa Ana’s John Wayne Airport has received $10.6 million to install six replacement escalators that are earthquake-safe, more reliable and will “generate up to 20 percent energy savings,” according to the FAA.
Hollywood Burbank Airport received $9.3 million for “exterior glass, roof and drywall for a replacement passenger terminal consisting of 14 gates.”
San Diego International Airport received nearly $12.1 million to build a new terminal, including “installation of two passenger boarding bridges, piles, foundation concrete, flooring, roofing and structural steel.”
“We work to ensure the safety, comfort and convenience of passengers during their journey to the airport,” FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shanetta R. Griffin said in a statement. “Today’s investments also build communities by providing good-paying jobs and injecting dollars into local economies.”