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BWI Marshall capital projects, passenger recovery and grant risks top Maryland Aviation Administration briefing
Summary
The Maryland Aviation Administration told the subcommittee that BWI Marshall Airport has recovered beyond pre-pandemic passenger levels, is advancing its largest-ever capital project (the AB connector and new baggage-handling system), and that federal discretionary grant awards tied to IIJA may be under federal review for a small number of projects.
The Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) appeared before the Public Safety, Transportation and Environment Subcommittee to present its fiscal 2026 operating and capital plans, describing a recovery in passenger traffic, large capital investments at BWI Marshall Airport and potential federal-grant uncertainty.
Steve McCulloch, presenting for the Department of Legislative Services, said the MAA’s fiscal 2026 operating allowance increases by about $14.2 million (nearly 6%) to cover restored contractual services and personnel. McCulloch noted that passenger counts at BWI Marshall exceeded pre-pandemic 2019 levels in calendar 2024 and that the airport’s cost per enplaned passenger fell modestly, which DLS cited as positive for airline competitiveness.
Ricky Smith, executive director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration, told the committee that capital work remains the agency’s primary focus. He described the AB connector and baggage-handling system as the largest capital project in the airport’s history and said major components will be complete later this year. Smith also highlighted a new Southwest Airlines maintenance facility opening planned for the summer and said the airport system supports broad employment and economic activity in the region.
MAA officials outlined federal funding sources that support airport capital projects, principally the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), discretionary IIJA (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) awards and passenger facility charges tied to tickets. McCulloch and MAA staff said most formula AIP dollars are secure, but two IIJA-funded projects—the Martin State air traffic control tower and a passenger-boarding-bridge project—were identified by FAA officials for additional review following recent federal actions, and their final status remained uncertain at the time of the hearing. The agency told the committee it will notify the panel if the federal position changes.
DLS recommended deleting 1 new operating information-technology position on the grounds that the department has vacancies that could be reclassified; the MAA opposed deleting the position, citing cybersecurity needs for transportation infrastructure. “Security of the nation's critical infrastructure requires focus on both physical security as well as cyber security of the state's transportation assets,” the agency said in written testimony submitted to the committee.
The committee also discussed the MAA’s March 2024 audit findings. MAA representatives reported that three of four audit findings were not repeated; the remaining repeated item involved contract monitoring controls, and MAA said it has strengthened oversight of concession marketing funds and contract invoices and has recovered some questioned reimbursements from a concessions operator.
Ending: Committee members requested follow-up material, including details about runway and capital cash-flow changes cited in the DLS exhibit and clarification on discretionary IIJA grants under federal review. No votes were taken during the hearing.
