Airport Aid Grant Program
Airport Aid Grant Program supports Washington airport sponsors with planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, and maintenance projects to preserve public-use airports and strengthen aviation infrastructure.
Funder: Washington State Department of Transportation
Due Dates: March 6, 2026, 5 p.m. (Application) | December 31, 2026 (Annual AIS update)
Funding Amounts: Up to $750,000 per sponsor per grant; up to 95% of eligible state-only project costs
Summary: Supports planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, and maintenance projects that preserve Washington’s public-use airport system.
Key Information: Applicants must own and operate a public-use airport included in the Washington Aviation System Plan.
Description
WSDOT Aviation administers the Airport Aid Grant Program to preserve Washington’s airport system and strengthen aviation infrastructure. The competitive annual program supports airport planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, and eligible maintenance work. It also helps airport sponsors meet local matching requirements for federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants.
The program emphasizes safety, pavement preservation, protection from incompatible land uses, mobility, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality. Projects are prioritized through the Statewide Capital Improvement Program (SCIP), with funding distributed among pavement projects, safety projects, and maintenance, security, and planning projects. Applications address project benefits, readiness, environmental and tribal-resource impacts, public involvement, job creation, and the proposed funding breakdown.
