Arizona Airports To Get $225 Million In Federal Grants
Nearly 60 airports in Arizona will receive federal grants totaling almost a quarter billion dollars. It’s part of the $10 billion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act), signed into law by the President Doanld Trump on March 27, 2020.
Arizona’s biggest airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, will receive $147,883,988. The pandemic has grounded most flights and closed most restaurants and retail shops. Last month, the city’s aviation director told council members this will be the most severe shock the airport’s ever experienced.
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-percent and 91-percent 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."
Tucson International Airport will get $22,558,891 and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway will receive $20,530,276. In northern Arizona, Flagstaff Pulliam will get $18,134,294 and Grand Canyon National Park will receive $3,474,498. Airports in Page and Prescott will each receive more than a million dollars.
Phoenix Deer Valley Airport and Scottsdale Airport will each receive $157,000, while Phoenix Goodyear will get $69,000. Airports that offer only local or regional service will mostly receive grants between $20,000 and $69,000.
The FAA created a map that shows funding amounts for each airport across Arizona and the nation. The full list of Arizona airports can be found at faa.gov/airports.
