A Texas airport is receiving $21.5 million in new federal funding for runway rehabilitation as part of a nearly $615 million nationwide airport investment announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The funding for Midland International Air & Space Port is part of 238 Airport Improvement Program grants covering airports in 42 states and two U.S. territories. The announcement, made Aug. 20, includes projects ranging from runway and taxiway work to terminal improvements and airport safety upgrades.
Midland Airport Receives $21.5 Million
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation announcement, Midland International Air & Space Port will receive $21.5 million for runway rehabilitation.
The Federal Aviation Administration lists the Airport Improvement Program as a federal grant program supporting the planning and development of public-use airports included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Eligible projects can include runway and taxiway improvements, airport lighting, signage, and other infrastructure needs.
The Midland award was the largest Texas grant specifically identified in Thursday’s announcement.
The FAA’s announcement also lists the other major awards in the latest funding round, including $19.5 million for construction of a new airport in Noatak, Alaska; $15.3 million for noise mitigation at San Diego International Airport; and $8.3 million for a new contract tower at Gary/Chicago International Airport in Indiana.
Nearly $615 Million Going to Airports
The total federal investment announced Thursday is $615 million, distributed through 238 grants.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the funding is intended to improve airport infrastructure and passenger travel.
“Upgrading our airport infrastructure is part of our work to usher in the Golden Age of Transportation,” Duffy said. “American families deserve state-of-the-art runways, taxiways and infrastructure that will make their travel experience safer, smoother, and more efficient.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is focusing on safety and efficiency as passenger travel increases.
“We’re improving safety and efficiency at airports throughout the U.S.,” Bedford said. “We’re prioritizing these grants in a time when Americans are traveling more than ever, ensuring we fulfill our promise to transform the passenger travel experience.”
The FAA said AIP funding can be used for infrastructure projects involving runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, markings, and other safety-related needs.
Part of a Larger 2026 Airport Investment
Thursday’s announcement follows several other rounds of federal airport funding this year.
On August 4, the FAA announced another $870 million in Airport Infrastructure Grant funding for 339 projects in 44 states and two territories. That round included $3.5 million for runway reconstruction at Sugar Land Regional Airport in Texas.
The FAA says the Airport Infrastructure Grant program provides funding for projects including runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability improvements, terminals, airport transit connections, and roadway projects. For fiscal year 2026, the agency said it has released the fifth and final installment of $2.89 billion in funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s airport infrastructure program.
The latest funding comes as airports nationwide continue upgrading aging infrastructure while passenger demand remains high.
For Texas, the Midland award adds another significant federal investment to a series of airport projects announced during 2026, giving the state’s aviation infrastructure another major infusion of federal funding.
What Happens Next
The federal announcement identifies the funding award and the purpose of the Midland project but does not provide a construction start date or completion date for the runway rehabilitation.
The FAA has made a full listing of airports receiving funding available through its airport funding resources.
The Midland award is notable because the $21.5 million grant is directed specifically toward runway rehabilitation, rather than a terminal expansion or passenger amenity project.
Provided by Dallas Express
