The Charlotte County Airport Authority will be receiving $6 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for construction of a new general aviation (GA) apron on the north side of the Punta Gorda Airport (PGD).
Airport officials were notified by the Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on Thursday that the funding announcement from U.S. FDOT was imminent. “We were thrilled to receive notification of this award, and for the ongoing support of Congressman Steube and Senator Rick Scott,” said Robert Hancik, Charlotte County Airport Authority Commissioner. “This will inject the necessary funds to jump-start our expanded GA infrastructure and aviation-related economic development projects.”
As part of PGD’s Master Plan Update, management planned for continued commercial air traffic growth at its existing site, and resolved to relocate GA activities to the largely undeveloped north side of PGD’s property adjacent to runway 9-27 off Challenger Boulevard.
“Constructing this new GA apron, along with extending the existing taxiway and existing taxilane, are the foundations of the North Airside Development Area,” said airport CEO James W. Parish. “These improvements are essential to pave the way for construction of a new General Aviation Center and hangars, as well as attract new/expanded flight schools, avionics installation, aircraft maintenance, training programs and other economic development opportunities.”
The award is part of the Federal Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program’s supplemental appropriation, which included dozens of grant announcements to airports around the country. Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in their official announcement, “The robust economy is enabling more passengers to travel by air so this Administration is investing billions of dollars in America’s airports which will address safer operations, fewer airport delays, and greater ease of travel for air travelers.”
