(Ames, Iowa) – The Iowa Transportation Commission today (Tuesday), approved $9.3 million for the fiscal year 2025 State Aviation Program, which includes several subprograms.  The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) will fund $6.3 million for a variety of aviation safety initiatives, system planning, and air service development activities. It will also provide funding for airport development projects at 23 airports in Iowa. Eligible AIP projects include runway, taxiway, and apron development; fuel systems; navigational aids; maintenance of aviation weather systems; runway marking; windsocks; emergency operational repairs; land-use planning; air service initiatives; and the mitigation of obstruction and wildlife hazards at airports. The AIP program is funded through the State Aviation Fund using revenues from aircraft registration fees and aviation fuel taxes.

In this area, AIP projects approved include:

• $13,491 towards the total project cost of $17, 988, for Taxiway Repair at the Arthur N Neu Airport, in Carroll.
• $55, 250 towards the total project cost of $65,000, for Obstruction Mitigation at the Creston Municipal Airport.
• and, $33,500 for the removal of underground storage tanks at the Denison Municipal Airport. The total project cost for which is $67,000.

The Iowa DOT’s Aviation vertical infrastructure programs will provide $3 million for projects at six general aviation airports and eight commercial service airports throughout Iowa. These programs provide funding for the maintenance and development of airport facilities such as terminal buildings, maintenance facilities, and aviation hangars. Vertical infrastructure programs are funded from Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund appropriations.

Iowa DOT Aviation Program Manager Shane Wright notes the FY 2025 program has many good projects that make headway developing an aviation system that supports the economy and important aviation services in the state. “It builds a strong aviation system while leveraging federal, local, and private investment.”

The State Aviation Program supplements local and federal funding sources and seeks to maintain a safe and effective statewide air transportation system. Details on the State Aviation Program funding can be viewed at https://iowadot.gov/aviation/airport-managers-and-sponsors/State-Funding/state-funding-programs