By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
The $53 million in grants announced Tuesday by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran are providing lifelines for Kansas airports.
For the Salina Regional Airport, the $1,836,078 grant will provide financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tim Rogers, executive director of the Salina Airport Authority, told Salina Post on Wednesday.
The grants are a part of the Phase III Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
READ: Moran: Salina, area airports receiving CARES Act grants
"While reducing air travel is important to stop the spread of the virus, it has caused significant losses for our airports. Whether large or small, Kansas airports play an important role in the commerce and travel of our state," Moran said in announcing the grants. "While this can’t replace the usual business of these airports, these grants will work to alleviate the hardships currently felt within the industry."
Hardships, indeed. Rogers said that the Salina airport has experienced a 90 percent drop in passenger enplanements on United flights to Denver and Chicago, a 100 percent drop in rental car commissions, and a 50 percent drop in aviation fuel sales.
Rogers, however, was quick to point out that the Salina airport remains open.
"The Salina Regional Airport is still open and operating for air carrier flights, business jets, general aviation, military, air cargo and air ambulance flights," he said.
Rogers explained that the CARES Act grant for the Salina airport will be used for staff salaries, wages, benefits, and airport safety and airport/airfield maintenance in compliance with federal airport certification requirements.