PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine’s largest airport is receiving a grant from the federal government that will help provide overnight parking for aircraft.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins says the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $6.8 million to Portland International Jetport to expand its central deicing pad. That will allow for the overnight parking as well as an aircraft holding area.

Collins said the federal money means the jetport will have three deicing aprons, a hold over apron and a “remain overnight” apron. That will help the jetport stay on schedule and manage increased flight traffic during Maine’s cold winters.

The jetport served more than 2 million people last year. Collins says the federal boost will help it “keep pace with the significant passenger growth” it has experienced recently.