Rhode Island Airport to receive $7 million for post-9/11 security upgrades

The Rhode Island Airport Corp. (RIAC) will receive nearly $7 million in reimbursements from the federal government for security enhancements made to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick in response to the 9/11 terror attacks, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) announced on Wednesday.

RIAC installed in-line baggage screening systems and additional new security screening technologies totaling $30.2 million with the understanding that the federal government would reimburse the costs under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. The law established the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and brought airport screening under federal jurisdiction. However, RIAC was never reimbursed.

“This federal funding is a positive step and long overdue,” said Reed, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. “Congress mandated stronger airport security and the federal government must fulfill its commitment and reimburse airports that took appropriate measures to protect the traveling public.”

Reed included language in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 that directed TSA to validate claims for reimbursement made by airports. After a review, TSA identified $267 million valid claims filed by 14 airports. Reed included $50 million in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, and he said the $6.9 million payment to RIAC would serve as an “installment” on the $30.3 million balance.

“In the wake of 9/11, Rhode Island airport officials answered the call to improve security, putting the safety of passengers above all else and dedicating significant financial resources to do so,” Reed said. “Finally, the federal government is paying them back and I will continue pressing to ensure Rhode Island is fully reimbursed by the federal government.”

Additional airports that are eligible for reimbursement include Nantucket, Atlantic City, Anchorage, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Orlando, Harrisburg, Chicago Midway, Pittsburg, Richmond; Southwest Florida, Sarasota-Bradenton, and Tampa.