WASHINGTON, DC — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Airport Improvement Fund (AIP) will provide 55 Kentucky airports with $77.2 million. The aid is being made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced the funding Tuesday.

“Kentucky’s network of world-class airports drive our economy and support good jobs. As our country faces the health and economic crisis of the coronavirus, we must maintain these critical features of Kentucky’s infrastructure. When this crisis is over, our Commonwealth will be ready to once again take flight.” 

Kentucky's airports and all the airports across the country face financial difficulties because of the coronavirus pandemic. The FAA says the federal government will supply 100% of the AIP funding which normally requires local matching dollars.

Candace McGraw, CEO of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) said, “Airports are critical in keeping us connected and ensuring our economy remains moving, particularly in times of crisis. Airports assure those with an essential need to travel can do so and that our air cargo partners can facilitate the movement of needed supplies. Airport relief funds provided by the CARES Act are a lifeline to allow airports to remain operational.”

Blue Grass Airport (LEX) Executive Eric Frankl explains why getting these funds are so crucial to his airport and others like it across the country.

"Blue Grass Airport does not receive any local taxpayer revenue to support our day-to-day operations, so the combination of staying open and functional as a critical piece of infrastructure for central Kentucky with the loss of over 90% of our passenger activity has had a devastating financial impact." 

Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport is also included in the list of the Kentucky airports receiving funding.

According to Senator McConnell, Kentucky communities and organizations have received more than $800 million from the CARES Act to address housing, transportation healthcare, education, and economic priorities.