Federal grants to support airports will provide $207 million for Miami International Airport, $135 million for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and $36 million for Palm Beach International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration announced.
“We are extremely pleased with the $207 million in relief funding for MIA,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “I appreciate the federal government for recognizing MIA’s critical role as the busiest international gateway in Florida and third busiest in the nation. This aid will certainly help our county’s largest economic engine, which supports one out of every five jobs locally, make a speedier return to normal operations after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic subside.”
MIA officials will use the grant to support the airport’s ongoing facilitation of essential travel and trade, and to prepare the global gateway to resume full operations.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program 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.
“The CARES Act funding, coupled with the financial relief plan approved by the Board of County Commissioners this month for our airport business partners, provides much-needed support for MIA to continue serving as the leading economic engine for our community,” said Lester Sola, MIA Director and CEO. “As we maintain our passenger and cargo operations and prepare for travel demand to return, these monies will aid us in developing new protocols and facility renovations designed to enhance the travel experience and improve employee safety.”
MIA ranked 11th on the federal list for funding. Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta led the list with $338 million in funding. Smaller airport in South Florida also got funding.
