Delaware Coastal Airport awarded $5.5 million grant for improvements

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a $5.5 million grant to the Delaware Coastal Airport in Sussex County.

The grant will support the construction of a parallel taxiway designed to improve the approach system for landing aircraft. The improvements are part of a long-term expansion plan to bring larger aircraft into Sussex County.

U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester visited the airport Wednesday to celebrate the federal support.

“Over the past eight years, both the FAA and Sussex County have invested significant funds in the Delaware Coastal Airport and, in turn, have made significant investments in Delaware’s economy,” Carper said. “This additional $5.5 million in federal funding will continue our efforts to create a nurturing environment for job creation in the First State and promote much-needed infrastructure development.”

“Sussex County officials have worked hard to make improvements to the Delaware Coastal Airport to help attract businesses and support jobs at places like Aloft AeroArchitechts,” said Coons, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This grant is a great example of why I fight for funding for FAA grants, which help airports like Delaware Coastal expand to track with the growth of the region.”

“As Delaware’s economy continues to develop, it is critical that our infrastructure keeps pace with it,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “The FAA’s much-needed grant award is an important step for improving safety and will help drive additional commercial activity at the Delaware Coastal Airport.”