Action Alert: Airport Input Needed to Make Case for Additional Coronavirus Relief
January 25, 2021
As we have reported, President Biden along with House and Senate Democratic leaders are eager to move another coronavirus relief package as quickly as possible. Over the weekend, Biden advisors met virtually with a bipartisan group of Senators to push for the President's $1.9 trillion proposal. By all accounts, the initial Biden plan faced skepticism from members of both parties who questioned the need for additional spending of that magnitude in the wake of the $900 billion that was approved by Congress in December.
While AAAE and ACI-NA remain committed to pushing for additional funding to airports and our partners, it is clear that there will be intense pressure to limit the size of any future package and the scope of what is included. With that in mind, we hope that you will continue to engage with your congressional delegation to highlight the situation at your airport and your ongoing needs. The specifics of your situation are likely to be the most impactful information for your individual House and Senate members, so we have included draft talking points below that lead with that along with the broader industry "asks."
The path forward for consideration of another relief package is unclear at this point, but the President and key congressional leaders continue to indicate that it will be an immediate priority. We urge you to contact your House members and Senators as soon as possible.
Draft Talking Points – Additional Relief
As we have reported, President Biden along with House and Senate Democratic leaders are eager to move another coronavirus relief package as quickly as possible. Over the weekend, Biden advisors met virtually with a bipartisan group of Senators to push for the President's $1.9 trillion proposal. By all accounts, the initial Biden plan faced skepticism from members of both parties who questioned the need for additional spending of that magnitude in the wake of the $900 billion that was approved by Congress in December.
While AAAE and ACI-NA remain committed to pushing for additional funding to airports and our partners, it is clear that there will be intense pressure to limit the size of any future package and the scope of what is included. With that in mind, we hope that you will continue to engage with your congressional delegation to highlight the situation at your airport and your ongoing needs. The specifics of your situation are likely to be the most impactful information for your individual House and Senate members, so we have included draft talking points below that lead with that along with the broader industry "asks."
The path forward for consideration of another relief package is unclear at this point, but the President and key congressional leaders continue to indicate that it will be an immediate priority. We urge you to contact your House members and Senators as soon as possible.
Draft Talking Points – Additional Relief
- On behalf of _______, I urge you to ensure that relief to airports and our industry partners is included in any coronavirus relief package negotiated in the days ahead.
- We are grateful for the help Congress has provided to date, but the aviation industry is facing unprecedented challenges and is in desperate need of additional federal support. Our nation's economic recovery depends on a strong aviation system.
- Like the airlines, airports are burning through cash as passenger traffic continues to be 60-70% below 2019 levels. Airports have to remain open and operational, make debt payments, and invest in increased public health improvements - all while revenues plummet.
- Reduced revenues and increased costs are forcing many airports to slash budgets, put capital projects on hold, deplete their reserves, and contemplate layoffs or furloughs. The challenges are growing more intense by the day.
- At our airport (please provide specifics)….
- Providing airports with more funding now will ensure they can continue to respond to new operational demands, pay for debt service on their bonds, help keep their critical safety and security projects on track, and keep airport staff employed.
- Specifically, the industry is seeking:
- Funding: Airports are seeking $17 billion in additional federal funding for commercial service airports along with further support for general aviation airports and our industry partners, including concessionaires, to respond to and recover from the pandemic.
Flexibility: Airports should have maximum flexibility to use any additional federal COVID relief funding "for any purpose for which airport revenues may be lawfully used."
Federal Share: Consistent with the CARES Act, any pandemic relief funding provided for airports should be 100 percent federal share, and the federal share for all AIP grants issued in FY21 should be 100 percent.
- Thank you for your consideration and support.
