Press Releases

Washington State Airports to Receive More Than $310 Million in COVID-19 Relief

Washington, April 14, 2020
Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Washington state airports will receive more than $310 million in critical COVID-19 relief funding provided under the CARES Act.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Washington state airports will receive more than $310 million in critical COVID-19 relief funding provided under the CARES Act. The CARES Act, which the president signed into law on March 27, included $10 billion in federal grants to support commercial and general aviation airports across the United States.

“Aviation means jobs in Washington state. In Northwest Washington, airports are critical economic drivers that connect Washingtonians and local businesses to communities and markets across the country and the world,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee. “This emergency grant funding will help ensure airports across the state can continue to maintain operations and support the aviation workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The CARES Act was a necessary next step to protect Washingtonians’ health, safety and economic security, but it will not be the last. I will continue to work with local officials and Washington state’s congressional delegation to fight for critical COVID-19 relief.”

“This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Airports in Washington state will receive $310,329,000 in grant funding, including:

  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: $192.133 million
  • Bellingham International Airport: $5.015 million
  • Port of Friday Harbor: $1.055 million
  • Orcas Island Airport: $1.041 million
  • Paine Field: $157,000
  • Arlington Municipal Airport: $69,000
  • Skagit Regional Airport: $69,000
  • Lopez Island Airport: $30,000
  • Port of Anacortes: $30,000
  • Friday Harbor Sea Plane Base: $20,000

Washington state is home to 138 public airports. According to Airports Council International – North America, commercial airports in Washington state employ 269,000 workers and generate more than $37 billion in annual economic activity.

For a list of CARES Act airport grants, click here.

For a map of airports in Washington state receiving CARES Act airport grants, click here.

For a list of frequently asked questions about CARES Act airport grants, click here.

###