Landing Strip

U.S. Airports Request More Federal Aid

It’s not just airline employees and management who are asking the federal government to extend its support for the industry. Airports, too, have requested more aid, to the tune of $17 billion.

Airports got $10 billion in support through the CARES Act last year, and a further $2 billion in the federal coronavirus aid package signed into law in December.

In a letter to Congress, Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and the Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) said additional aid is necessary to offset the revenues lost this year due to decreased traffic. The associations say U.S. airports could see as many as 1 billion fewer passengers than expected in 2020-21. Without further support, airports will have to cut costs and defer essential capital projects, the trade groups said.

Of the $17 billion, ACI-NA said $11.4 billion would be to offset lost revenue; $1.6 billion for lost Passenger Facilities Charges income; $500 million for lost Customer Facilities Charges revenue; and $3.5 billion for operational and infrastructure needs.

— Madhu Unnikrishnan

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