(Washington, D.C.): -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) today announced a pair of federal grants totaling $2,919,264 for safety and security enhancements at Albany International Airport, including two additional passenger security screening lanes.

McNulty said, “Millions of travelers from the Capital Region and beyond have been enjoying record-low fares at Albany International Airport for a number of years. As many of those travelers know, this increase in passenger enplanements has, at times, resulted in passenger screening delays at the security checkpoint. As a legislator – and as a passenger – I’m thrilled that this federal grant will allow the Airport to create two additional passenger security screening lanes to keep pace with existing and future passenger levels.”

The Airport currently has four screening lanes – the funding announced today will increase that number to six.

McNulty added that the $2,128,950 grant also enables the Airport to construct a second exit lane for arriving passengers, as well as additional space for those waiting to meet them.

The Airport also received news of a second federal grant, for $790,314, which will be used to expand the existing cargo ramp to accommodate peak operational loads and to meet requests for additional parking for aircraft.

Passenger enplanements at Albany International Airport increased to 1,558,656 in 2004, up from 1,437,387 in the previous year.

Albany International Airport spokesman Doug Myers said that contracts for both projects would be awarded later this spring.

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