DOT TO DISTRIBUTE $175 MILLION TO 317 AIRPORTS FOR SECURITY

DOT TO DISTRIBUTE $175 MILLION TO 317 AIRPORTS FOR SECURITY    The U.S. Department of Transportation, under the direction of Congress, will distribute $175 million in supplemental funds for heightened airport security costs at 317 eligible airports.
   The funds, provided to airports out of Defense’s 2002 appropriations, are to alleviate costs for additional law enforcement personnel, airport surveillance and the revalidation of airport-issued and approved identification, the DOT said.
   Congress directed the DOT to distribute the funds in a manner that would assist airports facing the greatest financial challenges in complying with new security directives that have been implemented since Sept. 11.
   After review of the 317 applications, the Federal Aviation Administration found that smaller airports suffered the greatest impacts, while the larger airports had a greater capacity to absorb additional security costs. The DOT said the funds are to be dispensed in the following manner:
   * Non-hub airports (184 airports): Those with scheduled airline service with fewer than 355,000 annual passenger enplanements will be funded 100 percent for eligible project costs for up to $35.6 million.
   * Small-hub airports (67): Those with scheduled airline service between 355,000 and 1,772,000 enplanements will be funded 50 percent for eligible project costs for up to $28.3 million.
   * Medium/large-hub airports (66): Those with scheduled airline service with more than 1.7 million annual passenger enplanements will be funded based on the number of enplanements, for a total of $111.1 million, or 63 percent of the funds.
   The DOT said each eligible airport would receive an abbreviated grant document to complete and return to the FAA. The funds will then be dispensed.
   A list of those airports eligible for the supplemental funds will be posted on the Internet at: www.faa.gov/arp/510home.htm, under “Distribution of $175 Million for Security,” the DOT said.