Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt is visiting Alaska this week, and Tuesday morning he announced aviation safety grants and airport improvement programs for sites and programs across Alaska.
“We're making another down payment, if it were, on the future of aviation in Alaska,” Babbitt said. “This truly is the aviation state. People depend more on it, it's a lifeline for the people who live here, it's how you move your people, your goods, your services -- and vital services, I might add,” he said.
The grants, totaling $59 million, will upgrade airports in Sitka, Chefornak, Deadhorse, the North Slope Borough and Soldotna; fund noise studies at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport; fund overall aviation planning efforts and help with snow removal equipment for airports in rural Alaska.
Babbitt said the grants will help create jobs as well as improve Alaska aviation safety and efficiency.
Sen. Mark Begich said recent accidents highlight the need for greater support for Alaska airports and aviators.
“The grants that Administrator Babbit just announced will greatly improve the safety in air on Alaska's runways,” Begich said.
He pointed out that more than 80 percent of Alaska’s communities are not on the road system.
“Alaska has six times more pilots and 16 times more planes per capita than the rest of the nation,” he said. “It’s important for us to have the safest possible air transportation.
Babbitt will also visit Juneau while in Alaska.
