Gabreski Airport To Get $4.9M In Federal Funds For Terminal Upgrades

WESTHAMPTON, NY — Westhampton's Francis S. Gabreski Airport is among more than 100 across the country receiving a combined $970 million in federal funding to make terminal improvements, the Transportation Department said Thursday.

The $4.9 million grant to the airport in Westhampton "partially funds the construction of a new airport traffic control tower to replace the existing 1940s tower, which has exceeded its useful life and does not meet current standards," according to the Transportation Department.

The airport terminal funding, provided under bipartisan infrastructure legislation passed in late 2021, will be distributed to 114 airports in 44 states and three territories for terminal projects that improve passenger experience, lower the cost of travel and create competitive jobs.

Projects vary from those creating new baggage systems to enlarging security checkpoints to expanding gate capacity, and modernizing terminals and ground transportation, according to the announcement by the Transportation Department.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the improvements “will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.”

The awards are on top of the nearly $2 billion for airport terminals announced by the Transportation Department over the past two years. Most of those terminal projects are under construction.

The funding comes from the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.