Federal Aviation Administration officials announced July 20 the San Antonio International Airport will receive $17 million in two Airport Improvement Program grants, along with one Airport Improvement Grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding will allow for the completion of reconstruction projects on taxiways developed through the city aviation department’s pavement management and maintenance program, according to a news release.

This announcement comes about one week after city officials announced receipt of a separate $2.2 million from the FAA to fund renovations to the roof of Terminal A at the north side airport.

Regarding the more recent announcement of FAA grants, some of the money will support a taxiway reconstruction project designed to enhance the safety of aircraft operations by reducing the risk of foreign object debris and the possibility of pavement failure, the release states.

Another aspect of this project will allow for future expansion as the airport will add a third terminal by mid-2028, city officials said.

Additionally, the city’s airport system participated in two of the FAA’s Safety Management System pilot programs and was the first U.S. airport system to implement the SMS across the entire airport facility, city officials said.

“This funding supports our continued focus on safety for both SAT and the FAA,” City Airport System Director Jesus Saenz said in a statement. “Our partnership aligns with all of the efforts going on behind the scenes—from the people working diligently on securing these grants to project planners and engineers.”

The $2.2 million grant for the Terminal A roof will support the use of sustainable materials to enhance energy efficiency, address climate challenges and repair existing leaks, a release states.

Construction on the roof renovation project began in July and is expected to be completed by March 2024, city officials said.

“We’re so thankful to get this funding to help improve San Antonio International Airport,” Saenz said in a statement. “We jumped at this opportunity to apply for the grant when we learned about the notice of funding opportunity that was released in December.”