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Airports

Virginia to Receive Over $48 Million in Federal Funding for Airport Upgrades

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Virginia's airports will receive more than $48 million in federal funding for infrastructure upgrades, part of a nationwide effort to modernize air travel hubs and boost local economies. The funding, awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will support construction projects ranging from runway rehabilitation to new hangars and improved lighting. The investments are made possible in part by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, D-Va., hailed the funding as a critical step in ensuring the state's airports remain safe and reliable engines of economic growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $48 million in federal funding will support construction projects at 18 airports across Virginia, including runway rehabilitation, new hangar construction, and improved lighting.
  • The largest awards include $7.2 million for new lighting and a taxiway shift at Winchester Regional Airport, $6.8 million to reconstruct taxiways at Washington Dulles International Airport, and $5.2 million to rehabilitate the runway at Virginia Highlands Airport.
  • Additional funding will support taxiway shifts at Blue Ridge Airport, new hangar construction and runway extensions at Twin County Airport, and a runway extension at Richmond Executive/Chesterfield County Airport.
  • Norfolk International Airport will receive $1.6 million to reconstruct a terminal entrance road, while Accomack County Airport will receive $1.4 million for a new taxiway and lighting.
  • Smaller projects include hangar development at Mountain Empire, Danville Regional, Emporia-Greensville, and Tazewell County airports; a fuel farm expansion at Hampton Roads Executive Airport; apron improvements at Richmond International Airport; a taxiway update at Suffolk Executive Airport; and rehabilitation work at Front Royal-Warren County Airport.
  • The funding is part of a broader effort to modernize Virginia's airports, which include more than 60 public-use airports ranging from major commercial hubs to small general aviation fields.
  • The investments are expected to help sustain the economic impact of Virginia's airport system, which supports more than 146,000 jobs and generates over $23 billion in economic activity annually.

Statistics:

  • 18 airports across Virginia will receive federal funding for infrastructure upgrades.
  • $48 million in funding will be awarded to support construction projects at Virginia airports.
  • $7.2 million will be awarded to support new lighting and a taxiway shift at Winchester Regional Airport.
  • $6.8 million will be awarded to support taxiway reconstruction at Washington Dulles International Airport.
  • $5.2 million will be awarded to support runway rehabilitation at Virginia Highlands Airport.
  • More than 60 public-use airports operate in Virginia, ranging from major commercial hubs to small general aviation fields.
  • Virginia's airport system supports more than 146,000 jobs.
  • The state's airport system generates over $23 billion in economic activity annually.

Sources:

  • https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip
  • https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684
  • https://flyrichmond.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/DOAV-Econ-Impact-Exec-Summary-final-accessible-05-03-183.pdf
  • https://virginiamercury.com/2021/11/15/biden-signs-1-2t-infrastructure-bill-america-is-moving-again/
  • https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/07/09/2025/warner-and-kaine-announce-over-21-million-in-federal-funding-for-virginia-airports
  • https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/10/warner-kaine-announce-nearly-57-million-in-federal-funding-for-virginia-airports

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