Federal Airport Improvement Program
Federal Airport Improvement Program supports Iowa airport sponsors with funding for airfield infrastructure, planning, and safety projects to advance airport development and address long-term needs.
Funder: Iowa Department of Transportation
Due Dates: November 19, 2026 (Draft five-year CIP) | December 21, 2026 (Signed application)
Funding Amounts: Sponsors must have a 10% matching share available
Summary: Federal funding supports airport improvements in Iowa through capital planning, project justification, and FAA eligibility review.
Key Information: Airports must be included in the National Plan of Integrated Airports (NPIAS).
Description
The Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) supports airport development, with Iowa DOT’s Modal Transportation Bureau – Aviation coordinating preapplications for general aviation and small commercial service airports in Iowa. This process includes projects using nonprimary entitlement funds. Applications connect individual improvements to a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and a long-range assessment covering years six through 20.
The program supports airfield infrastructure, planning, safety improvements, land acquisition, and certain aeronautical facilities. FAA capital-planning guidance prioritizes safety and security, runway and primary taxiway rehabilitation, noise reduction, planning, and environmental mitigation. Revenue-producing facilities receive additional review to ensure airside needs are addressed, approaches are clear, and the proposed facility is justified.
