Senate transportation panel reviews governor's FY26 aviation budget, hears updates on airport projects and a pending airport sale

Montpelier — The Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, March 19, heard a detailed presentation from the Vermont Agency of Transportation on the governor's recommended fiscal year 2026 aviation program budget and work plan, including capital projects at several state airports, a statewide hangar pre-permitting effort and a purchase-and-sale agreement for Caledonia County Airport that remains under FAA review.

At the start of the briefing, Evan Robinson, aviation program manager for the Agency of Transportation, told the committee the agency owns and operates 10 state airports and supports a larger network of privately owned public-use fields. Robinson said the agency's top priorities are safety, FAA and state compliance, and encouraging economic growth around airports.

"safety being the first. Now that's safety for all aviators that visit our airports, our users, our VTrans personnel, our community and the events that we have at our airport safety is number 1," Robinson said. He told senators the agency must meet FAA grant-assurance obligations for federally funded airports and seeks to increase airport-generated revenue to support operations.

Why it matters: The aviation program oversees facilities used for air ambulance hops, scheduled passenger service, freight and general aviation that local communities rely on for emergency response and economic access. Committee members repeatedly sought details on how federal grant losses or changes would be covered in state budgets, how airport-generated revenue compares with operating costs, and how the agency balances statewide goals with local noise and land-use concerns.

Key points from the presentation and committee discussion

State airports and…