WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – In the last six months, millions of dollars were awarded to our region’s airports along with major funding for other Washington airports.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced on Wednesday that over $47 million in federal grant money went towards the state’s 28 airports in the first half of 2024.

The funds came from programs intended to make flying safer and more efficient and draw from user fees at U.S. commercial airports.

The Northwest Washington region saw the third-highest amount of money for improvements at $11.4 million.

Bellingham International Airport’s Aviation Director Kip Turner says they will use the nearly $6 million to buy a new fire fighting vehicle and reconstruct airfield signs and runway lighting.

Friday Harbor’s Airport also received approximately $4 million to do major improvements.

Lopez Island was awarded $725,000 and the regional airports in Anacortes and Skagit collectively got $738,000.