The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that there will be another round of Airport Infrastructure grants (AIG). Everything from terminal expansions to safety enhancements is included in this round of grants. $289 million is dedicated to improving airports in 40 states, meaning contractors across the U.S. are about to get a lot more work.
PROJECT FUNDING
The FAA provided the full funding lists for projects covered by the grant, but here are a few of the largest projects slated for 2024:
- Sitka Rocky Gutierrez (SIT): This project is starting with two main phases and plans to be complete by summer 2026. About $36 million will come from the federal grants and the city is providing another $4 million.
- George Bush International Airport (IAH): This project is budgeted for $1.4 billion to improve roadway capacity, improve baggage handling and more. It expects to be completed in 2025.
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT): Total of $405 million from the grants and other funding sources to expand the south ramp to reduce congestion and enhance operations and much more. This is expected to be completed in March 2030.
- Orlando International Airport (MCO): $61.9 million to add more gates and renovate some of the terminals. Parking improvements and expanded bathrooms are also budgeted improvements.
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): $27.8 million to expand airport infrastructure, upgrading the terminals and enhancing travelers’ experiences while in the airport. This is expected to start operating in 2027.
In June 2024, the Transportation Security Administration screened 2.99 million passengers in one day across different airports and it estimates this year will have a 5.4% increase in travel volume from 2023. With the increase in travel volume and flight costs, an exceptional airport experience is crucial to keep passengers happy and choosing to fly over driving or other modes of transportation.
MEGAPROJECTS FOR MEGACITIES
The U.S. isn’t the only country investing in its infrastructure. Cities around the world are investing in many billion-dollar airport projects. Citizens are relocating from more rural areas into cities, making the need for improved infrastructure even greater. This won’t stop with aviation – roads and bridges will need more attention as more drivers enter the cities. So, we can likely expect to see some highway megaprojects in the near future, too.
HOW TO DELIVER MEGAPROJECTS
Megaprojects are massive undertakings and can get overwhelming. Budgets and deadlines can be tight on any project, but those issues can become magnified on large projects like these. The good news is there are ways to mitigate these issues.
- Do the risk and engineering analysis before the project begins. It seems hard to justify spending valuable time before the project begins on analysis rather than the actual building, but doing this first will get your delivery on time and on budget.
- Use real-time data to measure activity. If you know about how much time is spent on each aspect of a project, you can have a better understanding of what deadlines will be reasonable.
- Build the right project team. Big projects require a lot of people. Locate people with different strengths and abilities to create a high-performing team.
With the right team and expectations kept in-check, any large-scale project is achievable. The upcoming aviation megaprojects will prove to be intense for the industry in 2024, but the industry will also reap its rewards.
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