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Scottsdale Airport getting $5 million to relieve 'bottleneck of aircraft'

Scottsdale Airport is getting millions to improve the flying experience for private jets and smaller aircraft.

More than $5 million in federal grants will help Scottsdale Airport relieve congestion among smaller propeller, turboprop and business jet aircraft. 

After receiving FAA tower clearance, some jets have a certain window to depart, but with other aircraft lined up on the single taxiway, the jets are unable to move around the smaller aircraft. In some situations, aircraft waiting to depart obstruct others and delay their departures.

“This causes a bottleneck of aircraft at our runway end,” Aviation Director Gary P. Mascaro said in a press release. “These grants support the importance of improving these capacity issues at Scottsdale Airport.”

These grants will provide funding to construct an aircraft runup area, reconstruct a portion of the taxiway and taxiway connectors to current FAA safety standards, and rehabilitate a taxiway connector.

The entire project will be funded by two grants:

  • $4,690,602 from Airport Improvement Grant funds
  • $763,000 from Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL)

The airport will build a run-up area that can hold five aircraft, reconstruct a portion of the taxiway and taxiway connectors to current FAA safety standards, and rehabilitate a taxiway connector. The project will be funded by $4,690,602 from Airport Improvement Grant funds and $763,000 from Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation.

Construction is expected to be finished by the end of year — in time for the Super Bowl, Barrett-Jackson car auction, Waste Management Phoenix Open and Arabian Horse Show.

As a senior field correspondent, Christina Estes focuses on stories that impact our economy, your wallet and public policy.