RIC Receives Grant to Install Safety Transponders on Airport Ground Vehicles

Devices will relay real-time location to air traffic control and aircraft

Richmond International Airport (RIC) has received grant funding to install Vehicle Movement Area Transponders, or VMATs, on approximately 60 airport ground vehicles. During the monthly meeting of the Capital Region Airport Commission, the Commission authorized the execution of the grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Safety is a top priority throughout the airport, but especially on the airfield where aircraft and ground vehicles are moving in the same areas,” said Perry Miller, Ph.D., A.A.E., I.A.P., president and CEO of Richmond International Airport. “Thanks to this grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration, airport-owned vehicles that regularly access the airfield will be outfitted with a transponder, which increases their visibility and helps to prevent runway incursions.”

Transponders have already been installed on 38 Commission-owned vehicles. The $205,200 FAA grant will provide funding to purchase and install 60 news transponders.

“Vehicle Movement Area Transmitters (VMATs) help prevent dangerous runway incidents and by accelerating the deployment of this technology, we’re closing critical visibility gaps on our nation’s runways and taxiways,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a news release. “This initiative is yet another example of our commitment to proactive safety improvements and strong collaboration across the aviation community.”

Installing transponders on ground vehicles will make their location visible to air traffic control and aircraft through the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, which is the same system used to track aircraft positions in real time.

Inside the terminal last month, 464,185 passengers visited RIC, marking the second-busiest month in airport history after July 2025 (-0.6%). For calendar year-to-date, passenger volume continues to rise by 1.3% year over year.

United and JetBlue Airways were RIC’s fastest growing airlines in July, reporting passenger gains of 21.1% and 19.2%, respectively.

In January 2027, Breeze Airways will launch service to Cancún (CUN), Mexico.

Next March, Southwest Airlines will be updating its service to add a second daily flight to Nashville, begin new service to Tampa, and pause service to Denver.

Total cargo handled in July decreased by 5.2% compared to a year prior to 19.8 million pounds. Aircraft operations fell to 9,385, down by 5.8% or 583 versus July 2025. For more info, visit monthly statistics on the web. 

The monthly financial report for July showed airport revenues outperformed the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget by $807,000 or 12.3% for a total of $7.4 million, according to preliminary, unaudited data. Favorable timing of $649,000 in concession income was the primary factor.

Monthly operating expenses were less than budget by approximately $129,000 or 3.2%.  

This was driven by favorability in professional services, maintenance expenses, and utilities which was partially offset by unfavorable timing of personnel expenses and supply purchases.

In other business matters, the Commission reviewed and approved resolutions that support the airport’s strategic priorities, including authorizing the airport CEO to: 

• Execute the construction agreement for the Garage Lighting Replacement 3-4 with MW Co., LLC, DBA National Maintenance Services (NLMS) of Louisville, KY to replace existing lighting and lighted signage in the parking garages with new LED fixtures. The contract award totals $2.16 million and will be fully Commission funded.

• Execute two grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for $119,000 and $250,000, respectively, for the planning, design, and bidding services for pavement reconstruction of identified portions of apron areas west of the passenger concourses. Aprons are where planes park, board, or unload.

About Richmond International Airport (RIC)  

Richmond International Airport’s vision is to be the region’s preferred gateway to the world by focusing on world-class customer experience and operational excellence that drives passenger choice. Activities at RIC contribute nearly 13,500 jobs and $2.97 billion to central Virginia’s economy, according to a new report from the VCU School of Business Executive MBA program. To learn more, please visit RIC on the web, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, or YouTube.