More than $124 million in federal relief funds has been awarded to 257 Alaska airports to replace “vital revenue lost” because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
A joint April 15 press release from Alaska’s federal delegation — Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska — said the relief funds will help airports continue operations, replacing revenue lost by COVID-19-related travel restrictions.
The money can also be used for airport capital expenditures, payroll, utilities and debt payments, the release said.
The Kenai Municipal Airport is set to receive $1,622,758. Homer airport was awarded $1,192,837. Soldotna’s airport was awarded $30,000, along with the airports in Seward and Seldovia. Port Graham’s airport was awarded $20,000.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made the transportation of medical supplies particularly important by putting our airports front and center in getting Alaskans the support they need to weather this crisis,” the press release said. “The funding announced by the DOT is welcome news for our dedicated pilots, mechanics, and other airport workers on the frontlines of this pandemic. COVID-19 has caused much uncertainty across industries in our state.
