FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2012

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE FEDERAL INVESTMENT TO REPAIR RUNWAY AT ITHACA TOMPKINS REGIONAL AIRPORT – OVER $1.6 MILLION WILL FUND IMPORTANT APRON REHABILITATION

Department of Transportation Award of Over $1.6 Million For Safety Improvements

Senators: Federal Support Will Help Keep Airport Running Safely for Residents and Tourists in the Ithaca Region Year Round

Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that $1,620,000 in federal funding was awarded to the County of Tompkins through the Department of Transportation Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Tompkins will use this federal grant to expand the apron at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. The terminal apron rehabilitation was recommended as part of an FAR Part 139 inspection and is needed to meet safety requirements.

“This Department of Transportation grant will ensure that Ithaca Tompkins Airport can continue to safely serve residents and all visitors to the Ithaca Region for years to come,” said Senator Schumer. “Maintaining safety of the apron is a sure sign that Ithaca Tompkins is ready to take off for the summer season.”

“This is an important investment for the Ithaca Tompkins Airport,” Senator Gillibrand said. “An updated runway will help provide better, safer service for travelers, and help open up better access to the beauty of Ithaca and the Finger Lakes.” 

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) through the Federal Aviation Administration provides grants to public agencies — and, in some cases, to private owners and entities -- for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). The NPIAS, which is prepared and published every 2 years, identifies public-use airports that are important to public transportation and contribute to the needs of civil aviation, national defense, and the Postal service.

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) was established by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982. Since then, the AIP has been amended several times, most recently with the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Funds obligated for the AIP are drawn from the Airport and Airway Trust fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources.

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