Bradley International Airport Receives $6 Million for Major Improvements

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced that $6 million of federal funding has been secured for a major improvement project at Bradley International Airport (BDL).

The funding will be used for the ongoing construction of an 80,000-square-foot inline baggage screening facility behind the Sheraton Hotel, which is one of two construction projects currently underway at BDL. Once complete, baggage will be sent from the airline ticket counters along a mile-long conveyor belt to the new facility for screening. Current explosive-detection machines located in the terminal lobby will be relocated once the new screening facility is operational, which will open additional space for current and future airline growth. The facility will also entail the construction of three new gates.

“The CAA is grateful for this new infusion of federal funding as we continue construction on major projects to enhance the passenger experience at Bradley International Airport,” CAA Executive Director Kevin Dillon said. “We also want to particularly thank Governor [Ned] Lamont, Connecticut’s federal delegation, and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association for working hard to secure this funding.”

The designated funding for Bradley International Airport comes from a total $970 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) FY 2025 Airport Terminal Program, which was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Through a competitive grant process, the FAA is providing funding to 125 airports across the country this fiscal year to focus on terminal reconstruction, development, accessibility, energy efficiency, and more.

Prior to this most recent announcement, BDL has been awarded more than $31 million in grant funds from prior years of the Airport Terminal Program, which is a subset of the total $99 million in federal grants that BDL has received for its major terminal enhancement projects. The CAA has successfully applied for funds in each year that the highly competitive grant program has been offered.

“Over the last several years, Bradley has implemented many major improvements that have resulted in this airport being ranked among the best in the nation,” Lamont said. “This funding will enable Bradley to continue making upgrades that will strengthen its reputation as one of the best and most convenient airports available.”

The total cost of the inline baggage screening facility project is estimated at $188 million. In addition to the federal funding, the construction of the facility will be funded through a combination of passenger facility charges and airport revenue.