Grand Canyon Times

Almost $225 million in federal grants is being passed out to almost 60 Arizona airports to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The money comes from the $10 billion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The Airport Grant Program, part of the CARES Act, passed by the Department of Transportation and President Donald Trump on March 27, will help support airports during the pandemic. Due to COVID-19, many flights have been grounded and remaining flights are sparsely populated. The transportation and travel industry is one of the hardest hit by COVID-19.

In a statement to KJZZ, James Bennett, director of aviation services of Phoenix said, "The nearly $148 million in funding comes at a very challenging time for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Measures enacted to control the spread of COVID-19 have dramatically affected passenger traffic and related revenues. Nationwide passenger traffic has decreased by 96% and 91% at Sky Harbor. Sky Harbor is the number one economic engine for the entire state of Arizona. Providing economic support for Sky Harbor during this crisis directly benefits residents statewide. The money can be used for any purpose for which airport revenues may lawfully be used. There are no specific earmarks."

The $225 million going to almost 60 Arizona airports will be split up accordingly:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International, $147,883,988
• Tucson International Airport, $22,558,891
• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, $20,530,276.
• Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, $18,134,294
• Grand Canyon National Park Airport, $3,474,498.
• Airports in Page and Prescott will each receive more than a million dollars