Coronavirus: Feds Issue $158 Million To Minnesota Airports

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced Tuesday that the Federal Aviation Administration will award $158,378,970 in airport aid to 97 airports in Minnesota to help respond to the new coronavirus crisis.

More than $125 million of the funds will go to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The grant is part of the Trump Administration’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program.

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"This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs," Chao said in a statement.

Federal officials say the funding will support continuing operations and replace lost revenue resulting from the sharp decline in passenger traffic and other airport business due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The funds are available for airport capital expenditures, airport operating expenses including payroll and utilities, and airport debt payments, according to a news release.

View a list of Minnesota airports receiving funding on an interactive map, along with funding for all U.S. airports on FAA’s website.

The FAA is asking airports to spend the funds immediately to help minimize adverse impacts from the COVID-19 crisis.

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