Long Beach Airport Gets $6.1 Million in Grants

The Federal Aviation Administration awarded Long Beach Airport two grants totaling $6.1 million, city officials said Monday. The airport plans to use much of a $5 million FAA grant to reduce air pollution by enabling planes to use electricity from the airport rather than diesel generators while they are parked.

Some of that grant will also go toward fixing aging runways. A second $1.1 million grant will fund a study of the airport's network of runways and taxiways. The so-called airfield geometry study will assess the optimal design for the airport, taking into account safety, maintenance costs and the most efficient way to reach the airport's maximum number of takeoffs and landings.

``These dollars are essential to maintaining our airport, which is one of the most important economic assets to our city,'' Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster said.

Officials said the improvements and airfield study are part of the airport's larger $140 million modernization plan, which includes a recently opened parking structure and new concourse. ``These grants will allow LGB to continue to improve the customer experience and ensure the financial strength of the airport,'' Airport Director Mario Rodriguez said.

--City News Service