September 27, 2013
Washington, D.C.- Today-Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15) announced the McAllen-Miller International Airport was awarded a Small Community Air Service Development grant of $750,000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The purpose of the Small Community Air Service Development Grant program is to provide funding support to help small airports, such as McAllen, attract air service to locations not being served by other airlines at this time.
"McAllen-Miller International Airport continues to provide an important service to Rio Grande Valley residents year round," said U.S. Rep. Hinojosa. "With our ever growing population, expanding these services is a must to maintain the great quality of air service offered by our airport. I congratulate Director of Aviation, Phil Brown and everyone involved who are keeping our airport at a top notch level."
Director of Aviation, Phil Brown, said “This is great news for McAllen! Air Service is vital to the economic development of McAllen; new air service will open many more travel opportunities for our citizens.”
Award of the grant does not guarantee that an airline will initiate service to McAllen, but it does mean that the airport has the ability to provide incentives to airlines. McAllen applied to the Department of Transportation in July of this year and was one of 59 grant applications submitted.