Feds send millions in coronavirus aid to NC airports, including CLT and RDU
Airports in North Carolina will receive nearly $284 million from the federal government to help make up for the loss of revenue caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport will receive the largest amount, more than $135.5 million, followed by Raleigh-Durham International Airport with $49.6 million. Altogether, 72 airports in the state will receive some federal assistance.
The Trump administration announced the grants Tuesday, drawing from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security or CARES Act passed by Congress in late March. The bill provides $10 billion to airports nationwide.
“This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a written statement.
The COVID-19 outbreak has crippled the airline industry and deprived airports of the ticket, landing and parking fees and other revenue they use to operate. Airlines slashed their schedules because of falling demand; the number of people boarding flights at RDU is about 96% less than the same time last year, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
The RDU Airport Authority cut its budget for the fiscal year that began April 1 by nearly a third, or $95 million, because of the drop in revenue. But airport officials weren’t sure further cuts wouldn’t be needed, because they don’t know when demand for air travel will recover.
The $49.5 million from the CARES Act, while welcome, will help the airport make its debt payments and pay its workers but won’t cover other operating expenses or capital costs, said spokeswoman Crystal Feldman.
Meanwhile, at Charlotte Douglas, a hub for American Airlines and the state’s largest airport, hundreds of people have lost their jobs. More than 600 HMSHost employees saw their concessions jobs at CLT disappear after their airport’s restaurants and bars were closed, while 112 people who drove buses and offered wheelchair assistance and other passenger services have been laid off, according to The Charlotte Observer.
The federal grants are to be used for capital and operating expenses, including payroll and utilities, as well as airport debt payments. According to the government’s announcement, the Federal Aviation Administration is encouraging airports to spend the money immediately “to help minimize any adverse impact from the current public health emergency.”
The CARES Act provides money to airports that are part of the national airport system including all commercial service airports and some public-owned general aviation ones. In the Triangle, Johnston Regional in Smithfield, Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford and Triangle North Executive airports will each receive $69,000.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 2:19 PM.
