Kelly, Gallego Celebrate $32 Million Grant for Tucson International Airport’s New Runway

Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego applauded a $32 million grant awarded to Tucson International Airport by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to continue construction of the airport's Airfield Safety Enhancement Program, which will add a second full-length runway to the airport. This phase of the project will shift the existing runway 800 feet to bring the airport into conformity with current safety standards, along with new pavement, airfield lighting, drainage infrastructure, and guidance signage.

In 2023, Kelly toured and announced the initial funding for the Tucson International Airport Airfield Safety Improvement Program.

"Today is a big win for Tucson. This federal investment will make Tucson International safer and more efficient, expand capacity, and strengthen Southern Arizona's economy and military operations," said Kelly. "I toured this project in 2023, and this funding brings us closer to the finish line. I look forward to seeing the new runway open and more flights coming through Tucson."

"This federal investment will go a long way toward helping Tucson International Airport complete critical safety improvements and bring its airfield into compliance with current FAA standards. I'm proud to support investments that keep Arizona's airports safe, modern, and ready to serve our growing communities," said Gallego.

This grant builds on years of Kelly's work securing federal investment in Tucson's airport infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Kelly helped shape, provided an additional $25 billion in investments in airport infrastructure, including the funding announced today, and gave additional funding to AIP.

This grant was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which funds runway, taxiway, and infrastructure projects at airports nationwide.