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Ithaca, NY - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $1,013,308 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. The federal dollars come from an Airport Improvement grant. The funds will be used to help the airport extend parallel Taxiway A.
"Coupled with the news last week that Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport was awarded a $500,000 regional transportation marketing grant, today's announcement marks an extraordinary period for the airport," Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) said. "Today's award will ensure that once we lure additional passengers to the airport with the help of last week's grant, we will have a safe and reliable runway to deal with additional flights in and out of the region. Additionally, an improved local airport with runways up to code will help spur the economy and attract new businesses to the area. Today is another great day for Tompkins County."
“This is great news for Ithaca the entire Southern Tier," said Schumer. "The Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport welcomes travelers to New York each year, and these improvements are important for the airport, as well as strengthening the local economy. I will continue to fight tooth and nail for federal funds to help the airport remain a thriving center of activity and a hub for economic growth in the region."
“This funding is a very welcome investment in the Tompkins Regional Airport and in the future of the region,” Senator Clinton said. “Expanding capabilities at key airports in areas like Ithaca will boost the current economy and expand capacity for future traffic. I will work hard to make sure federal funds continue to flow to this airport and I know those visiting Ithaca will benefit from these funds.”
The Ithaca-Tompkins Airport will use these federal funds to extend parallel Taxiway A. Federal regulations require 400 feet of separation between the taxiway and runway and the separation is currently only 250 feet. This funding will help bring the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport into compliance with current FAA regulations.
Last week, Hinchey, Schumer, and Clinton announced $500,000 in federal funds was awarded to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport by the U.S. Department of Transportation from the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) Grants. The funds will be used to help the airport promote its services to passengers and offer inducements to new carriers. DOT received more than 80 applications for the 37 spots to receive SCASDP grants, which is funded by an FY2005 Congressional appropriation of $20 million. Only those communities with insufficient air service or unreasonably high airfares are eligible to participate in the program. The law limits the eligibility to communities with small hubs and smaller airports. According to the legislation, DOT may use funds to provide assistance to implement measures considered appropriate to improve air service both in terms of the cost of such service to consumers and the availability of such service. For Ithaca Tompkins, the funding will not only be used for business development, but will help absorb some of the start-up and transition costs for the airport during the first year of Northwest Airlines’ service.
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