Actually, the airports capital assistance program funding is on a sliding scale, so the more passengers you move, the less the contribution the federal government gives you. Even for those that are 100% funded, with small passenger movements, the application process to get a project approved costs money. It costs those airports and communities money to have predesign studies done so they can identify that they have a plan and project that needs to be done. Many of those airports—Smithers airport is a prime example that I have talked to lately—simply do not invest in getting an application ready, because it's $25,000 or $30,000 out of their pockets with no guarantees for five years.
On December 3rd, 2020. See this statement in context.