The Transportation Department launched the “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” campaign and opened a Notice of Funding Opportunity for up to $1 billion from the $15 billion that SWACCA helped to secure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program (ATP) to incentivize airports to build out a wide range of family-focused terminal improvements. The initiative aims to fund projects such as children’s play or exercise areas, mothers’ rooms and nursing pods, reconfigured checkpoints with dedicated family screening lanes, and sensory rooms for children with special needs, as well as other creative upgrades that improve the family travel experience.
Additionally, the FAA has made discretionary funds available through the ATP for terminal development projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports. These funds are part of the broader efforts of the ATP, which includes supporting projects that bring facilities into conformity with current standards and constructing, modifying, or expanding terminals to meet growing demand. Eligible projects under the ATP include airport terminal gates, access roads leading directly to or from terminal buildings, walkways to terminals, and multimodal terminal development, including on-airport rail projects.
Applications for terminal projects are due by 5pm ET on January 15, 2026, with awards expected by October 30, 2026.