Two area airports receive federal funds

OTHELLO — Two area airports will be receiving funds from the federal Airport Improvement Program to enhance aviation centers.

Othello Municipal Airport will receive $448,000 and Odessa Municipal Airport will receive $100,000.

The fund were among $47.1 million in FAA Re-authorization Act dollars allocated to airports in Washington state last month. Nationally, $600 million was allocated.

Othello’s airport was allocated the funds to seal the pavement and joins on its apron, runway, taxilane and taxiway.

The funds allocated to Odessa Municipal Airport may be used to install navigational technology.

Other airports in Eastern Washington receiving funds include Spokane International, Walla Walla Regional, Wilbur Municipal, Pullman/Moscow Regional, Omak, Ephrata Municipal, Methow Valley State, Davenport Municipal and Port of Whitman Business Air Center. In total, $12,740,994 was allocated for Eastern Washington airports.

“Eastern Washington’s economic growth is intricately linked to the efficiency of our transportation hubs, as most economic development occurs within just a few miles of an airport,” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, said. “By investing in our airport infrastructure — like Spokane Airport’s recently unveiled new terminal — we are also paving the way to attract more businesses, and adding capacity to expand flight destinations for the traveling public.”

Cantwell called local airports “vital to our state and local economies.”

The funds come as the federal Transportation Security Administration announced a record 3 million travelers had be screened through airports June 23.

Seven of the 10 busiest air travel days ever have occurred over the past month, officials said.