In Senate Bill Would Boost Airport Grant Program By Tom Ichniowski In an important step toward reauthorizing AIR-21, key Senators have introduced a bill that would increase the federal airport construction grant program and set up a new vehicle for funding airport security projects.
The bill, which has the backing of leaders of the Senate commerce committee, was introduced April 8. Dubbed "AIR-Vision," for the Aviation Investment and Revitalization Vision Act, the measure would fund the Airport Improvement Program at $3.4 billion in 2004, $3.5 billion in 2005 and $3.6 billion in 2006. AIP, which finances construction grants, has an appropriation this year of $3.38 billion.