The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a $10.2 million improvement grant to the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.
The $10.2 million will go toward rehabilitation of taxiways A, B and C, a project estimated to cost $11.3 million and take one and a half years to complete. The aging pavement has reached the end of its life cycle, according to a press release.
“The investment by the FAA into PHF’s infrastructure is a clear indication that PHF is a viable and important airport, not only in Hampton Roads but to the aviation system,” said LaDonna Finch, chair of the Peninsula Airport Commission, owners and operators of the airport.
Last month, the commission received a $950,000 grant from the Department of Transportation to be used to regain service to New York and Boston and possibly attract new service providers and routes. The airport has suffered a drop in traffic since AirTran pulled out in March. Low-cost carrier PeoplExpress plans to headquarter at the airport when it launches its service in 2013.
The airport is currently served by four airlines: Allegiant, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and US Airways, with nonstop service to five domestic destinations (Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Orlando and Philadelphia) and international connections.
