Federal funds to help airports, including OIA, taking a hit from pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla. — Theme parks are closed, vacation rentals are not allowed and a lot of families have had to cancel their travel plans to Orlando.

It’s no surprise that Orlando International Airport is taking a huge hit, but it’s not the only airport suffering.

That’s why the Federal Aviation Administration is stepping in, and awarding $10 billion in grants for 32,000 airports under the federal CARES Act. Florida airports will receive about $896 million.

“That pays a lot of payroll,” said Kirk Shaffer, the FAA associate administrator for airports.

Read: Problems filing for unemployment persist in Central Florida

OIA will receive $170 million. Orlando-Sanford International Airport will receive $23 million, and Daytona Beach will $21 million. Melbourne will receive $20 million.

Smaller airports will also get help; Umatilla Municipal will receive $20,000.

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VIDEO: Federal funds to help airports, including OIA, through pandemic The Federal Aviation Administration is stepping in, and awarding $10 billion in grants for 32,000 airports under the federal CARES Act. Florida airports will receive about $896 million.

The money can be used for things like payroll, utilities, paying on municipal bonds and anything legal to keep the airports up and running.

“That money’s going to roll right out to them ... because this is about keeping families supported,” Shaffer said.

Municipal airports are losing money on sales from fuel. Larger airports such as OIA is losing money not just on flights but taxis, rental cars and concessions.

“We are encouraging them to spend it right away because we certainly would not want airport employees to be laid off or furloughed,” Shaffer said.

To get the grants, airports have to keep 90% of their employees at least through Dec. 31.