Quad Cities International Airport to receive $4.67 million from FAA Airport Rescue Grants
July 1, 2021
The Quad Cities International Airport will receive approximately $4.67 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Rescue Grants. These grants were part of the American Rescue Plan Act that was signed by the Biden administration in March. Similar to the previous CARES Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) grants, the funding is designated for operational expenses including payroll support, construction projects and debt service. It also includes $300,000 for rent relief from concessionaires.
“While we are seeing tremendous progress in passenger recovery, there is a long road ahead to financial recovery,” said Benjamin Leischner, A.A.E, executive director. “After 15 months and counting of depressed traffic, this funding ensures we can keep our entire staff employed and work toward a brighter future.”
Despite at one point seeing a 95% decline in traffic, the airport kept financial losses below 35% for the 2021 fiscal year. This is in large part due to work that was completed prior to the pandemic to diversify revenue streams. The finance department has also been fastidious in seeking available grants and forecasting to manage the ongoing decline in revenue.
“Our finance department deserves a tremendous amount of praise – they’ve worked incredibly hard to lessen the impact of COVID-19,” said Leischner. “After what could have, and by all accounts should have, been a devastating year, we’ve been able to keep staff employed throughout the pandemic and reinvest in our facilities to prepare for the return of travel.”
QC Airport received $8 million from the CARES Act, $2.8 million from CRRSSA and $660,000 from the Payroll Support Program for QCIA Airport Services, LLC which provides ground handling and fueling services at the airport.