Action Alert: Please Contact Your Senate Offices!
March 17, 2020
In a call with key White House officials earlier today, AAAE leaders discussed how the coronavirus is impacting airports around the country and explained how an influx of $10 billion in federal funds would help airports deal with the current crisis.
From our discussions with White House officials as well as with folks at DOT and on Capitol Hill, it appears that Senate Republicans are preparing to move quickly on a massive relief package. A Politico story this afternoon went so far as to say Senate Republicans are working at "warp speed."
We have been aggressively urging lawmakers in both chambers and administration officials to help airports respond to the current crisis by providing them with $10 billion in federal funds. We have been stressing the need for that money go out the door as quickly as possible and with as few strings as possible.
We have been getting positive feedback on the Hill, and key offices seem to understand the enormous impact the coronavirus is having on airports. But we need to keep up the pressure.
Since the Senate may consider another relief package in the next few days, it is critical that airports weigh in with their lawmakers as soon as possible.
Request: Please contact your Senate offices as quickly as possible and urge them help airports respond to the coronavirus by providing them with $10 billion in federal funds. Please ask them to make sure that airport relief is part of the package being negotiated this week. Thanks for your assistance!
Talking Points
- The current coronavirus crisis is having a significant impact on airports around the country. Passenger levels and revenues are dropping precipitously. Meanwhile, airports are facing new operating demands and increasing strains on their outstanding debt.
- Recently, Delta Air Lines announced its decision to reduce capacity by 40 percent because of reduced demand related to the coronavirus pandemic. And United announced plans to cut flights by 50 percent.
- A similar 40 percent reduction in operating revenue and PFC revenue could reduce airport income by more than $10 billion over the next year. A cut of that magnitude - or more - will have a severe impact on airport operations, debt service capabilities and capital plans.
- [Please explain how the coronavirus is impacting your airport - passenger levels, revenues, etc.]
- Congress can help airports weather this current storm by providing them with $10 billion in federal assistance. Getting federal funds out the door and into local communities as quickly as possible would help airports respond to new operational demands, pay for debt service on their bonds, and help keep critical safety and security projects on track.
- Please make sure that airport relief is part of the package being negotiated this week.
