Letter to Acting Administrator Huerta

Letter

Today, at the Griffiss Airport, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced a major effort to re-secure vital federal funding for the airport. From 2004 to 2010, Griffiss benefitted from $40 million in federal Military Airport Program (MAP) funding designed to help the airport as it transitioned from a military airport to civilian use. Griffiss, a federally-classified general aviation airport, was the only airport of its type in the country to receive the funding, as federal law only permitted one general aviation airport to receive these funds. In 2010, Griffiss lost its slot to a Brunswick, ME airport, cutting off the flow of this essential funding that helped the airport transition to a commuter and business-friendly facility. Schumer, through the recently-passed Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, successfully changed federal law to allow up to three general aviation airports to receive MAP funding. Now that the bill has become law, Schumer announced his push to secure one of the three slots for Griffiss, which would allow the airport to receive these funds once again and continue to make major improvements to help draw new businesses and economic activity to Central New York. Griffiss is seeking approximately $20 million over the next four years, and would use the funds to build a new terminal building, as well as renovate two former military hangars to help establish the airport as a maintenance hub for the Northeast.

"Ever since Griffiss Airport lost access to Military Airport Program funding in 2010, I have fought hard to get that vital investment flowing back to Griffiss so that it can continue its transformation into an accessible and beneficial airport for Central New York residents and businesses," said Schumer. "Earlier this month, I was pleased to have successfully included a provision in the FAA reauthorization bill that boosted the number of eligible airports from one up to three- and now I want Griffiss Airport to be back in one of those slots. Griffis Airport has counted on MAP funding for several years in the past, and without continued funding major expansion plans for a new terminal and more, will be grounded before takeoff. I am here to push the FAA to choose Griffiss, so that expansion and renovation plans can move forward towards a more commuter and business-friendly future, which will help attract new jobs and industries and be a huge boost for Central New York."

Schumer was joined by Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente as he urged the Federal Aviation Administration to select Griffiss Airport's application to be one of the three "general aviation" airports eligible for federal Military Airport Program funding, which is critical to the airport's role as a commuter and business-focused facility. In the recent FAA reauthorization bill, Schumer successfully fought to boost the number of slots for eligible airports from one to as many as three. This effort gives the FAA the ability to again send MAP funding to multiple airports, and Schumer is pushing the administration to choose Griffiss Airport for one of those slots. Since the MAP program was established, Griffiss has benefitted from and relied on $40 million of this funding. With that, the airport has upgraded hangars, and improved surface lots, utility systems and cargo buildings on site, among other projects. Schumer is urging the FAA to name Griffiss to one of the three available slots, so that it can begin again to receive this funding on which the airport relies to transition from a military to civilian accommodating airport.

Re-entry into the MAP program will permit the County to complete redevelopment of Airport Facilities critical to the continued success of Griffiss International Airport. Griffiss intends to request approximately $20 million dollars over the next 4 years. This funding would go towards several projects in 2013, including a new terminal building and new nosedocks. The new terminal building will be 30,000 square feet and will vastly improve temporary facilities that are currently used for charter passengers leaving the airport. In addition, the terminal will include a Custom's FIS-facility, to clear international flight crews and clear and repair aircraft flown into Griffiss. Airport officials also plan to add an improved TSA security checkpoint, as well as facilities to accommodate the arrival and departure of narrow body jet aircraft that can carry up to 190 passengers. Schumer noted that this terminal project has already been designed, and construction would be set to begin as soon as MAP funding is available. Griffiss also plans to rehabilitate two of the airport's remaining 28,000 square foot former military hangars to accommodate the continued growth of Griffiss as a Northeast aircraft maintenance hub.

Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the recently passed Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill would boost Griffiss Airport's chance of securing federal Military Airport Program (MAP) funding. The Military Airport Program (MAP) uses federal funds to convert former military airports to civilian or joint-use airports. MAP funding, a set-aside of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), provides a boost to civilian aviation capacity by upgrading former military airports. A total of 15 airports may participate in the program at any one time, but previously only a single "general aviation' airport could receive funding. The FAA reauthorization bill now allows up to three general aviation airports to receive funding at a given time. Airports may be selected or reselected to receive financial assistance for up to five years.

Since 1990, the FAA has provided airport sponsors approximately $614 million for a variety of projects such as building or rehabilitating surface parking lots, fuel farms, hangars, utility systems, access roads, and cargo buildings. Many of these projects are not normally eligible for AIP funding, but projects for MAP-designated airports have unique eligibility rules to convert the airports to civilian or joint use.

A copy of Schumer's letter appears below:

Dear Acting Administrator Huerta:

I write to express my support for returning Griffiss Airport to the Military Airport Program (MAP). After extensive work in passing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act (Public Law 111-226), and insuring the inclusion of three addition General Aviation (GA) slots form the MAP program, I would urge FAA to strongly consider Griffiss airport for one of newly created slots.

As the former site of Griffiss Air Force Base, which closed in 1995, Griffiss now serves as a General Aviation (GA) Airport in Oneida County and would be a prime candidate for MAP funding. These funds would aid Griffiss in reducing current and projected flight delays and fulfill the core function of the MAP program. As you may be aware, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Bill, which was recently signed into law, included a provision which will allow up to three general aviation airports to participate in the FAA's Military Airport Program. In the most recent MAP finding cycle Griffiss International Airport was displaced for funding, however with the addition of two slots I am confident that Griffiss would be a worthy candidate for MAP funding. I would urge FAA to strongly consider Griffiss for MAP funding for one of the newly created GA slots.

Thank you for your consideration and attention to this important matter. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington office at 202-224-6542.

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