AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine — Four airports in Aroostook County are among the 35 in Maine that will receive millions in federal funding to sustain operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Tuesday that Presque Isle International Airport will receive $1 million. Caribou Municipal Airport and Northern Aroostook Regional Airport in Frenchville will receive $20,000 each and Houlton International Airport will receive $30,000.
Funding will come from the new federal Act Airport Grant program, which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security legislation, also known as CARES. A press release issued by the FAA said that airports can begin using the funds immediately after receiving them for capital expenditures, operating expenses such as utilities and payroll and debt payments.
The emergency funding comes at a time when airports across the country are facing decreases in passengers due to COVD-19-related stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures.
Scott Wardwell, director of the Presque Isle International Airport, said that the airport saw 699 passengers in March versus 1,079 in February, a decrease of 35 percent. While the airport had recently seen its most successful February in more than a decade, the COVID-19 pandemic has left many folks unable or unwilling to fly due to the widespread nature of the coronavirus.
“I’m expecting that our April numbers will be down significantly,” Wardwell said. “We’ll probably see a 75 percent decrease in passengers.”
United Airlines has made significant reductions and changes to flight times and locations in the past month. Starting April 9, the company began landing all flights from Presque Isle at Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia instead of Newark International Airport in New Jersey. There is currently only one scheduled departure time for flights going from Presque Isle to Washington-Dulles and vice versa.
Wardwell noted that he will likely be in touch with the regional New England office of the FAA soon to discuss expenses and capital projects that might be eligible for the new emergency funding. Though he said it’s still too early to make long-term financial projections, having the emergency funds will reduce or possibly eliminate the airport’s reliance on municipal funds during the pandemic crisis.
“It’s going to be a gradual change. After the U.S. begins to open the economy, it will take time for people to decide if they want to go on a plane for business or vacation,” Wardwell said. “This funding will allow the airport to not be [dependent] upon the municipality.”
Houlton International Airport manager Chris Stewart noted on Wednesday that the airport is uncertain of what exactly it will use their $30,000 in funds for.
The total amount of CARES funds given to 35 Maine airports will total more than $36 million. Nationwide, airports are receiving $10 billion in emergency relief funds.
