Federal Aviation Administration gives $4.43 million to four Arkansas airports
by July 24, 2017 2:04 pm 434 views
Four Arkansas airports will receive $4.43 million from the Federal Aviation Administration through its Airport Improvement Program. South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field in El Dorado, Fort Smith Regional Airport, Monticello Municipal/Ellis Field and Texarkana Regional–Webb Field will receive the money for airport projects.
On Monday (July 24), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the grants as part of $169.3 million in airport infrastructure grants to 85 airports in 35 states.
“The Airport Improvement Program helps to maintain our aviation infrastructure and supports safety, capacity, security and environmental improvements,” DOT Secretary Elaine Chao said.
Fort Smith Regional Airport will receive a total of $3.12 million in discretionary and entitlement funding for the construction of an aircraft rescue and firefighting building.
The Fort Smith Regional Airport has struggled to maintain fire and emergency services following the June 2014 change of mission for the 188th. The Air Guard unit changed from a manned flying mission to an unmanned mission focused on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Prior to the mission change, the FAA allowed the airport to lease the land for $1 a year to the 188th. In turn, the 188th provided services to the facility – like aircraft rescue and firefighting assistance – and also reimbursed it for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. This arrangement resulted in a “cost avoidance” to the Fort Smith airport of $400,000 a year, which was significant especially in light of the facility’s small-by-comparison $2.6 million operating budget. When the 188th no longer had airplanes on the base, military officials pulled the plug on firefighting services.
It’s that fire and rescue service that has been a financial burden on the airport. Former Airport Director John Parker had said the airport budget is operating with a $360,000 loss each year now that the arrangement is no longer in place.
Texarkana Regional Airport will receive $651,798 to build a terminal building. Monticello Municipal Airport will receive $460,000 to install apron lighting and expand the apron. South Arkansas Regional Airport will receive $196,564 to install a runway vertical and visual guidance system.
Airports receive a specific amount of funding annually based on passenger volume. The FAA can supplement this entitlement funding with discretionary funding if the project cost exceeds the entitlement funding amount. The FAA is giving 25 airports discretionary funding “based on their high-priority project needs.” The four previous Arkansas airports received this type of funding.