Getting from north Alabama to the Big Apple could get a bit easier for travelers if the feds come through for the Port of Huntsville.

The airport’s board of directors recently applied for a $1 million grant to help establish nonstop air service to the New York City market. Directors are seeking a share of this year’s Small Community Air Service Development Program funds, a U.S. Department of Transportation effort to help airports pay for solutions to self-identified air-service deficiencies.

The funds can be used to pay for programs like economic air service studies, revenue guarantees to air carriers that provide service, startup cost offsets and reimbursement of air carrier ground handling fees, according to the grant solicitation.