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Airport officials tell state board $15.8 million sweep stalled safety projects
Summary
Representatives of Arizona airports told the Arizona State Transportation Board that a $15.8 million diversion from the Arizona State Aviation Fund has delayed safety and pavement projects statewide and risks losing matching federal funds.
At the Aug. 15 Arizona State Transportation Board meeting in Safford, airport managers and aviation advocates urged the board to support restoring $15.8 million swept from the Arizona State Aviation Fund, saying the diversion halted planned safety and pavement projects at dozens of smaller airports.
The speakers said the sweep left ‘‘shovel-ready’’ projects without funding and could cause Arizona to lose federal matching dollars. Jacob Allen, speaking on behalf of the Arizona Airports Association, said the sweep diverted $15,800,000 and stopped projects including wind-cone replacement and pavement rehabilitation at regional airports.
The issue matters because those projects, airport leaders said, are linked to safety, emergency response and local economies. ‘‘Arizona’s airports generate over $38 billion annually and support more than 269,000 jobs,’’ Allen said. He told the board that without the state funds, airports face higher maintenance costs and risk losing FAA matching grants that would otherwise be available.
Allen gave several local examples: Shoal Regional Airport planned a primary wind-cone replacement for fiscal 2026; Safford Regional Airport had planned taxiway and apron rehabilitation projects with Pavement Condition Index (PCI) scores cited as 23, 20 and 15 for specific pavements; and Sedona Oak Creek Airport had a critical drainage project to prevent erosion.
Ahmed Rose, Sedona Airport manager and identified in the meeting as president of the Arizona Airports Association, said the Aviation Fund is supported by aircraft licensing, fuel taxes, Grand Canyon revenue and other user fees. He said a three-year average of those revenues is nearly $33 million annually and that sweeping user-generated aviation revenue into the general fund is ‘‘a disservice to airports.’’
Cameron Atkins, airport manager for Safford Regional Airport, urged the board to help develop rural air service and to support a state-level air service program. Atkins said only 11 of Arizona’s 67 public-use airports have scheduled airline service and that two of the state’s top tourism destinations lack commercial air service.
Speakers asked the board to advocate for restoring the $15.8 million to the Aviation Fund so planned safety and rehabilitation work can resume and so airports can preserve federal matching funds. They did not present a formal petition or motion at the meeting; their remarks were part of the call to the audience and were recorded for the record.
Board members did not vote on a restoration at this meeting. The public comments and examples will be part of staff follow-up, board members said.
The board heard the airport comments during the public-comment portion of the agenda; airport managers later offered to meet with board members to discuss specific projects and funding strategies.
Ending: Airport representatives asked the board to press the legislature and state executive branch to protect and restore aviation-dedicated revenues and to support rural air-service development. ADOT staff and board members said they would follow up with the airports and with relevant grant and planning offices.
