Guam’s only commercial airport is taking major steps toward a few long overdue improvements with the help of over $10 million in federal grant funding. Here's how airport leadership is putting those dollars to work to improve your travel experience.

The A.B. Won Pat International Airport and the Guam International Airport Authority are preparing for a wave of steady improvements – thanks to $10.4M awarded by the Federal Aviation Authority. The funding targets some of the airport’s most persistent issues – starting with aging passenger loading bridges that have been in use for nearly three decades. Several of the bridges have also sustained damage from Typhoon Mawar, making reconstruction and replacement a top priority for the GIAA. 

And through the FAA’s Voluntary Airport Low Emissions Program (VALE), they’re also working to replace ground power units and pre-conditioned air units at all 17 gates, reducing the need for aircraft auxiliary power – lowering fuel use and cutting emissions while also improving air quality around the terminal.

GIAA deputy executive manager Dr. Ricky Hernandez says an additional $7M is also expected to repair five of the main terminal’s bridges. The goal, airport leaders say, is to modernize the parts of the airport passengers interact with every day, while also taking on major projects behind the scenes.

“The $10.5 million that we were able to get the board to ratify the awards for are part of a larger effort with federal funds," said Hernandez. "There’s about $118.4 [million] in federal funded projects plus local funds that have a match to it.”

Those long-term projects include expanding the TSA security checkpoint, rebuilding the airport’s lighting vault and installing new led runway lighting, and continuing work on the cargo apron design.

The new FAA grant will also support a redesign study aimed at improving accessibility for travelers with disabilities – mapping new routes and identifying structural changes needed to make the terminal easier to navigate for everyone.

And despite nationwide disruptions during the federal shutdown, Dr. Hernandez says Guam’s airport remained stable, telling KUAM News, “Throughout that whole time period, we were thankful to the regulatory agency employees with TSA and Customs and Border protection for their dedication to the work, to be able to make the airport operate.”

“Also, I have to say that our FAA partners over at Air Traffic Control were able to work throughout the shutdown, as well.”

And while the latest $10.4 million grant tackles some of the airport’s most urgent needs, it’s only one part of a much larger transformation. 

With a total of $118.4 million in federal grants for capital improvements on the runway, GIAA says the work happening now is part of a long-term strategy to modernize Guam’s airport from the ground up.