Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The Safford Regional Airport will receive $32,000 in coronavirus relief federal money out of $47 million awarded to Arizona.
By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – As part of the American Rescue Plan helped passed into law by Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Krysten Sinema, the state of Arizona has been awarded $47 million for its airports and airport concessionaires.
“Today’s funding will ensure our airports have the necessary resources to keep airport staff, Arizonans, and visitors safe from COVID-19,” said Senator Kelly in a press release.
The vast, vast majority of that coronavirus relief federal money will be spent at three Arizona airports that see the most traffic: Phoenix Sky Harbor International will receive roughly $19.2 million, Tucson International will receive roughly $15.75 million, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway will receive roughly $9 million, taking up about $44 million of the $47 million in awards.
Of the $3 million left, Prescott Regional – Ernest A. Love Field will receive roughly $1.14 million, and Page Municipal will receive roughly $1.2 million, leaving about $700,000 left to divide between 22 other airports.
Five of them, including Chandler Municipal, will receive $59,000 each, seven others, including Nogales International and our local Safford Regional, will receive $32,000 each, and 10 other airports will receive $22,000 each.
“Today’s funds will provide necessary and critical support to strengthen operations and COVID-19 prevention at our airports, keeping Arizonans safe and healthy during their travels,” said Senator Sinema, Chair of the Senate Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation Subcommittee.
Earlier this year, Kelly and Sinema helped pass into law the American Rescue Plan, which made critical investments to support Arizona hospitals, small businesses, and communities economically recover from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release.
In November, Kelly, Sinema, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to see first-hand the types of projects funded through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—legislation shaped and supported by Kelly. Arizona airports are expected to receive at least $360 million over the next five years through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Those funds will be in addition to those announced in this article.
