Arizona airports get $225M in federal aid, including $148M for Sky Harbor
Apr 14, 2020, 3:00 PM
PHOENIX – Arizona airports are getting nearly $225 million from the federal coronavirus relief package approved last month, officials said Tuesday, with more than half going to Phoenix Sky Harbor.
It’s part of $10 million in economic relief for airports as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27.
“This funding will support continuing operations at the airport and replace lost airport revenues resulting from the sharp decline in passenger traffic and other airport business,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
Chao said the funds will address variety of needs, with payroll being the primary concern.
“Some of that will also be allowed for some infrastructure improvements, some terminal improvements,” she said.
“We’re going to be as flexible as we can under the law, but clearly the major focus of all this relief is for payroll.”
Fifty-nine Arizona airports will receive a total of $224,869,172 from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Nearly $148 million was earmarked for Sky Harbor, the state’s largest airport and one of the busiest in the U.S.
Tucson International, with over $22 million, is getting the second-biggest chunk in Arizona.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway is the only other Arizona airport with a cut of more than $20 million.
Find the full list of payouts here.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.