Schmitt Says Modern Skies Act is ‘Tailor Made’ for Lambert
Date Posted: October 22, 2026
Posted In: Discussion, Projects,
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Terminal 1 at St. Louis Lambert International Airport Thursday to promote the Modern Skies Act, a $30 billion funding bill introduced by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, to modernize American airports. If passed, $10 billion of the bill would fund upgrades or rebuilding at up to three medium-hub terminals.
Duffy said Lambert is in need of investment.
“There are a lot of airports that need investment but you have one here that is in grave need of dollars, you need a facelift here,” Duffy said.
Duffy was asked what priority St. Louis is for Modern Skies funding, given the FAA expects commercial flights to increase by more than 40% by 2046.
“Now the money for airports in this bill I can’t guarantee where it goes. It’s a competitive process, but I can tell you this, it’s airports like this, a great city, the gateway to the West, great aviation history, that needs investment is an airport the FAA would consider for these investments,” Duffy said.
When asked if the Modern Skies terminal pilot program seemed tailor made for St. Louis and the single terminal project, Duffy agreed.
“That’s a fair assessment,” Duffy said.
First Alert 4 has been asking for a year about initial renderings for the $4 billion single airport terminal project. The station has been told the hold up is money, with the project possibly getting scaled back.
Southwest Airlines makes more than 50% of the flights in and out of Lambert and is currently on the hook for the largest portion of the cost for the project.
Schmitt has secured federal money for Lambert and is the lead sponsor of the Modern Skies Act. Schmitt said the Modern Skies Act is tailor made for Lambert.