FAA announces new airport grant program

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As part of the second Coronavirus relief act, more than $2 billion in funds will be awarded to U.S. airports and concessions, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Dec. 31.

The grant program, part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA) signed into law on Dec. 27, will award funds to eligible parties to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said.

“This new grant program will provide much-needed economic relief to airports around the country as they address the COVID-19 public health emergency,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

The FAA will distribute the funds through a newly established Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program that will provide grants to airports that are part of the national airport system, including all commercial service airports, all reliever airports, and some public-owned general aviation airports.

Under the new grant program, primary commercial service airports will share $1.75 billion based on the number of boardings the airports see in a year. Another $200 million will be given to these airports to distribute to their car rental, parking, and concessions companies, based on each companies proportional share of the total rent and annual guarantees for the airport.

Non-primary commercial services and general aviation airports will share $45 million, based on their airport category – national, regional, local or basic – of which $5 million will be divided equally to airports that are part of the FAA Contract Tower Program.

The FAA said it intends to implement the program quickly to support the national airport system’s economic recovery.