Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has announced the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 by the U.S. Senate. The legislation contains significant resources to bolster Kentucky’s airports and aviation operations.

The Senate's bill reauthorizes funding for the FAA and airports nationwide. Senator McConnell played a pivotal role in guiding this bill to Senate approval, securing provisions that benefit Kentucky’s airports:

- It provides Blue Grass Airport in Lexington with access to previously unavailable funds in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, enabling the airport to upgrade its Air Traffic Control tower with FAA prioritization due to its age.

- It secures additional Airport Improvement Program funding for several Kentucky airports, including $1.1 million for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), $300,000 for Barkley Regional Airport in West Paducah, and $300,000 for Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport.

- It directs the FAA to establish a permit process for recreational drone events such as Jets Over Kentucky, held in July at Taylor County Airport in Campbellsville.

“The Senate’s bipartisan legislation provides essential funds for the Federal Aviation Administration and invests in the strength and resilience of our nation’s airports. I’m proud that Kentucky will see increased funding to overhaul our aviation infrastructure and make flying safer and more passenger-friendly in my home state. This legislation is a win for passengers and it’s a win for Kentucky’s airports,” said Senator McConnell.

“Blue Grass Airport extends its gratitude to Senator McConnell for his longtime support of our community and Kentucky’s airports. This legislation and the funding Senator McConnell helped secure will help us relocate our air traffic control tower, take on other crucial infrastructure projects, and pave the way for more growth in the future,” said Blue Grass Airport President and CEO Eric Frankl.

“I applaud and thank the U.S. Senate, especially Leader McConnell, on passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024,” said Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport CEO Candace McGraw. “Airports across the United States, including CVG and those in Kentucky, will see benefits from this bill, most notably in its increase of topline authorized funding in the Airport Improvement Program. As CVG prepares to invest more than $1 billion in capital improvements in the next five years, this legislation will be vital to funding needed airport improvements. CVG fully supports this important legislation and remains grateful for its passage, which would not have been possible without Senator McConnell’s leadership and support of these priorities.”

“As Barkley Regional Airport continues to grow and expand our operations, this legislation will help us better serve Western Kentucky while ensuring that the safety of our passengers remains our top priority. We’re incredibly thankful for Senator McConnell’s leadership on this legislation and his support of Barkley Regional Airport and Western Kentucky,” said Barkley Regional Airport Executive Director Dennis Rouleau.