Schumer Announces Over $490K for Greater Rochester International Airport

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced $492,667 for the Greater Rochester International Airport from the Federal Aviation Administration. The federal funding will be used to acquire a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle to assist the airport in meeting safety requirements. The current ARFF vehicle was acquired in 1994 and has reached the end of its useful life.

"This Department of Transportation grant will ensure that the Rochester airport can continue to safely serve residents, businesses and visitors to region for years to come," said Senator Schumer. "Maintaining safety around the airport is essential for the success and growth of the airport and the greater Rochester region."

"Providing great service and affordability to our travelers remains a hallmark of the Greater Rochester International Airport," said Maggie Brooks, County Executive. "Thanks to Senator Schumer, the Department of Transportation and the FAA, we will be able to increase our emergency response capabilities in order to protect the traveling public while maintaining affordable fares for our community."

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) through the Federal Aviation Administration provides grants to public agencies -- and, in some cases, to private owners and entities -- for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). The NPIAS, which is prepared and published every 2 years, identifies public-use airports that are important to public transportation and contribute to the needs of civil aviation, national defense, and the Postal service.

The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) was established by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982. Since then, the AIP has been amended several times, most recently with the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Funds obligated for the AIP are drawn from the Airport and Airway Trust fund, which is supported by user fees, fuel taxes, and other similar revenue sources.

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