The Biden administration announces $970 million in grants for airport improvements across the US

The Biden administration is giving airports $970 million for terminal improvements, including things like wider concourses, new baggage handling systems and more gates

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Thursday it is providing $970 million for improvements at 114 airports across the country, with work ranging from wider concourses and new baggage-handling systems to new terminals at some small airports.

Administration officials said the money comes from a $5 billion grant program to modernize airport terminals.

The largest amount, $50 million, will go to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida for a project to connect terminals behind security checkpoints and create new retail space and other amenities.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport will get $40 million to widen a concourse, reconfigure a security checkpoint and other changes. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia, San Francisco International and Los Angeles International will receive amounts ranging from $31 million to $36 million.

A Federal Aviation Administration official said there were more than 600 applications and the requests totaled $14 billion.

The government has gone to great lengths to promote new and proposed protections for air travelers, with airlines seen as an easy target for consumer frustration.

President Joe Biden has spoken out against fees some airlines charge to seat families together. The Transportation Department has published an online “dashboard” to encourage airlines to commit to improving customer service.

“Another part of that better travel experience is investing in our physical infrastructure to improve the airports,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said as he discussed airport subsidies with reporters.

Last month, the Transportation Department announced $244 million in grants for improvements to other airport facilities, including runways and taxiways.