Don't Miss Your Flight Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
- Committees
- Environment and Public Works Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jun 5, 2025
Bottom line
This bill creates a new federal grant program to improve ground transportation links to airports, aiming to reduce congestion and enhance access, primarily benefiting larger airports.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a new federal grant program within the Department of Transportation to fund surface transportation infrastructure projects that improve connections to public airports. It specifies eligible projects, such as highways, public transit, and passenger rail, that must be within 5 miles of an airport and aim to reduce congestion, expand capacity, or rehabilitate infrastructure. The program prioritizes funding for projects connecting to large and medium hub airports.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill will improve the efficiency and accessibility of air travel by addressing critical last-mile connectivity issues around airports. They contend that better surface connections will reduce traffic congestion, enhance passenger experience, and support economic development by facilitating easier movement of people and goods to and from major transportation hubs. The focus on large and medium hubs ensures investment where congestion is most acute and passenger volume highest.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that this bill represents an expansion of federal spending into areas traditionally handled by state and local governments or airport authorities. They could contend that the specified funding allocation disproportionately benefits larger airports, potentially neglecting smaller regional airports that also face connectivity challenges. Concerns might also be raised about the overall increase in Highway Trust Fund expenditures without corresponding revenue increases.
The bill is very concise and can be read quickly, allowing ample time for detailed consideration of its provisions.
Section 2(b)
Establishment of Airport Connection Infrastructure Grant Program
This section directs the Secretary of Transportation to create a grant program. This program will provide federal funds to states, Indian Tribes, and local governments (including public agencies controlling airports) for projects that improve surface transportation connections to public airports.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this program directly addresses a common pain point for travelers and businesses: the difficulty of getting to and from airports. They believe it will enhance the overall efficiency of the national transportation network.
Critics contend
Opponents might argue that existing federal programs or local funding mechanisms should cover these types of projects, and a new dedicated program adds unnecessary bureaucracy or duplicates efforts.
Tradeoffs
Balances the need for improved airport access with concerns about federal program proliferation and funding allocation.
Section 2(d)
Definition of Eligible Projects
This section defines what types of projects can receive grants. Projects must connect to a public airport, be within 5 miles of that airport, and aim to reduce congestion, expand capacity, provide access to under-connected areas, or rehabilitate existing infrastructure (roads, rail, transit). Specific project types include highways, bridges, public transportation, or passenger rail.
Section 2(f)
Funding Set-Asides for Large and Medium Hub Airports
This provision mandates that at least 50% of the appropriated funds must go to projects connecting to "large hub airports" and at least 30% to projects connecting to "medium hub airports," as defined in existing law. This means 80% of the funds are earmarked for projects serving the busiest airports.
Section 2(g)
Federal and Non-Federal Cost-Share Requirements
This section outlines how project costs are shared. The federal share is determined by existing highway funding rules (Title 23, Section 120). Importantly, it allows eligible entities to use two specific sources for their non-Federal share: credit assistance from the TIFIA program (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act) if it was for an airport-related project, and passenger facility charges (PFCs) collected by the entity.
Section 2(h)
Funding Authorization
This section authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000,000 (1 billion dollars) from the Highway Trust Fund (excluding the Mass Transit Account) for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. This provides a total of $5 billion over five years for the grant program.