The Newport State Airport in Coventry has won $8.8 million in federal grants to help pay for expansions. The two Federal Aviation Administration grants come on the heels of $8.1 million awarded to Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport for safety improvements, according to a news release from Vermont’s congressional delegation.
The Newport airport’s runway will be extended 1,000 feet to serve more and larger planes and to complete the airport’s apron construction, where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled and boarded.
The project was endorsed by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt.
“Through the expansion of Newport State Airport, the State of Vermont can continue the long-term goal of facilitating job growth and tourism in a region that is filled with promise,” Leahy, Sanders and Welch said in a joint statement.
The airport expansion in Newport is a public-private partnership.
Jay Peak developers Ariel Quiros and Bill Stenger, along with Quiros’ son, Ary, took over management of the airport in 2013. In December, Quiros announced he acquired Flight Design USA. The company’s manufacturing operations will be moved from Connecticut to Newport.
“This expansion will pave the way for an exciting expansion of all aviation services in our region,” Stenger said. “This grant will provide the capacity for the airport to welcome commercial aviation and substantial air freight service. The jobs that will be fostered by this expansion will truly help all of our region. We are all excited,” he said.
