Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces New Airport Rescue Grant Program
March 19, 2021
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the establishment of 'Airport Rescue Grants' to distribute the $8 billion in funds that Congress approved as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As airports are aware, ARPA was signed into law on March 11 and the agency is now working to quickly distribute the funding to eligible airports and concessionaires at those airports to assist the industry with preventing, preparing for, and responding to the ongoing public health emergency. Additional details on how the funding will be distributed can be found in our previous Airport Alert. 
As part of the announcement today, FAA provided the following statement: 'The FAA intends to implement this program quickly to support the economic recovery of the national airport system. The FAA will provide further updates over the coming days and will release allocation amounts under each formula when they are finalized.' The agency also created a new web page where airports can find information and updates about the Airport Rescue Grants. 
AAAE will be working closely with FAA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and members on implementation of the $8 billion that will be distributed through the new grant program. We have already submitted questions and comments for the agency to consider as they develop guidance for distributing the new round of funding. If you have any questions or input that you would like AAAE to pass along to the agency, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org. 
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the establishment of 'Airport Rescue Grants' to distribute the $8 billion in funds that Congress approved as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As airports are aware, ARPA was signed into law on March 11 and the agency is now working to quickly distribute the funding to eligible airports and concessionaires at those airports to assist the industry with preventing, preparing for, and responding to the ongoing public health emergency. Additional details on how the funding will be distributed can be found in our previous Airport Alert. 
As part of the announcement today, FAA provided the following statement: 'The FAA intends to implement this program quickly to support the economic recovery of the national airport system. The FAA will provide further updates over the coming days and will release allocation amounts under each formula when they are finalized.' The agency also created a new web page where airports can find information and updates about the Airport Rescue Grants. 
AAAE will be working closely with FAA, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and members on implementation of the $8 billion that will be distributed through the new grant program. We have already submitted questions and comments for the agency to consider as they develop guidance for distributing the new round of funding. If you have any questions or input that you would like AAAE to pass along to the agency, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org. 
