ACI-NA Applauds Major Airport Financing and Policy Wins in House Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON - Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today welcomed the inclusion of several key airport priorities in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's surface transportation reauthorization legislation.

"Airports are more than terminals and runways. Airports are multimodal transportation hubs that connect passengers, cargo, employees, and commerce while driving regional economic growth," said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. "This legislation gives airports greater access to innovative financing tools needed to deliver critical transportation infrastructure projects that keep people and goods moving efficiently. Restoring the TIFIA for Airports program is a significant victory for airports and the communities they serve. We appreciate Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and the Committee for recognizing the essential role airports play in the nation's transportation network. We thank Representatives Hurd and Garamendi for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the TIFIA for Airports provision."

The BUILD AMERICA 250 Act would extend the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) for Airports program through 2031 and continue reserving up to 15 percent of total TIFIA funding for airport projects. Originally established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the program has become a key financing tool for airports undertaking new infrastructure projects.

The legislation would also establish a new grant program to support transportation planning and infrastructure needs associated with major international sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games. In addition, the bill would make the surface transportation components of airport projects eligible under the new Surface Transportation Accelerator Grant (STAG) program.

Together, these provisions underscore the critical role airports play in the nation's transportation system and provide new tools to help airports modernize infrastructure, improve connectivity, and meet growing passenger and cargo demands.

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