The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has earmarked more than $76.2m for 85 airports in 28 US states to maintain safe airport operations in the winter season.
The funding will be used to procure de-icing equipment and snowploughs, as well as build or upgrade buildings to store this equipment.
FAA Airports associate administrator Shannetta Griffin said: “We can’t let winter weather stop aircraft from safely landing and taking off.
“This funding will help keep airports operating this winter and get passengers and cargo to their work, families and vacations safely.”
Around $46.2m has been allocated for the procurement of snow removal equipment at Ted Stevens International Airport in Alaska, Rickenbacker International in Ohio, Michigan’s Ford Airport and Boeing Field/King County International Airport in Washington.
A further $13.6m has been provided for the purchase of de-icing facilities, including $9.7m to build a de-icing containment facility at New Jersey’s Atlantic City International Airport.
Of the $13.6m, $3.3m will be awarded to Great Falls International Airport in Montana and $277,777 to Williston Basin International Airport in North Dakota for building a de-icing pad.
Another $16.4m will be used to build and refurbish buildings that house and maintain snow removal equipment at Greenbrier Valley Airport, Bellingham International Airport, Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport and Mammoth Yosemite Airport.
The FAA will provide the funding via its Airport Improvement Programme, which supports projects such as the construction of new and improved airport facilities, maintenance of airfield elements and repairs to runways and taxiways.
The programme also helps buy the equipment required to run and maintain airports.
Last month, the FAA announced grants of more than $16m to 14 universities across the US to conduct research for minimising aviation emissions and noise.
The move is part of efforts to help the country reach its aviation climate targets.
