AOT seeks safety, easement and fuel upgrades in FY27 aviation budget
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Summary
The Agency of Transportation outlined a $12.9 million aviation program budget that prioritizes runway safety, obstruction easements, fuel-farm restorations and a replacement ARFF truck for Rutland; officials stressed a mix of FAA formula and discretionary funds plus a 95/5 federal-state split on many projects.
Evan Robinson, manager of the Agency of Transportation's aviation program, told the House Transportation Committee the FY27 aviation budget centers on safety upgrades, restoring fuel service at several airports and updating airport master plans to guide the next decade.
"As our budget pertains to our relationship with the FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, we work hand in hand with our regional airports office to develop a capital improvement plan," Robinson said, describing monthly coordination with the FAA and multi-year planning for runway and terminal work.
Robinson highlighted projects at several state airports. At Bennington (WH Morse), AOT plans a master-plan update following recent runway and terminal work. At Rutland Southern Vermont Regional, AOT has an ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting) vehicle contract and expects delivery of a replacement ARFF truck in December; the truck requires a state match as part of grant-funded procurement. For Northeast Kingdom International (Coventry) and Middlebury, the agency is pursuing instrument approaches and PAPI lighting upgrades to improve safety and reduce circling approaches in poor weather.
AOT described how FAA funding is structured. "They're at a 95 5, federal state split," Robinson said for many FAA-eligible projects, and he explained federal support also includes a state apportionment, nonprimary entitlement formula funds and competitive discretionary grants for larger construction. Robinson added that AOT, as sponsor of 10 airports, manages certain formula funds at a system level.
The presentation also covered operations and system-level programs: a $60,000 annual Civil Air Patrol grant to support aeronautical search-and-rescue obligations, a facilities budget for utilities across 40+ airport buildings, and a statewide pavement condition index study to guide maintenance priorities. Robinson said restoring Middlebury's fuel farm is a priority because self-service fuel drives regular activity and business development; currently seven airports have self-fueling and two (Middlebury and Caledonia) are out of service.
Members asked about TSA and law enforcement at commercial-service airports; Robinson clarified that TSA provides screening staff while contracted law-enforcement officers (Rutland County Sheriff's Department) support TSA during boarding operations to meet federal requirements. Committee members also pressed about commercial service levels: Robinson said Cape Air operates three round trips daily from Rutland to Boston under the Essential Air Service arrangement.
Robinson closed by describing a formal update to AOT's commercial minimum standards and other airport policies, last revised in 1992, with stakeholder engagement and an expected wrap-up in FY27. He said AOT would provide committee members with additional budget line details on request.
