One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Hurting SoCal Airports Get More Than $350 Million In Government Aid
Southern California airports have seen traffic plummet by more than 90 percent due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
As part of the federal aid package known as the CARES Act, hundreds of millions of dollars will now be directed to help them.
Overall $10 billion is being assigned to help airports nationwide that have lost money during the pandemic.
Local airports normally rely on revenue from aircraft landing fees, leases from airport tenants, concession fees and parking. The massive reduction in passengers means that income has fallen drastically.
The CARES Act cash infusion will help airports cover debt service, payroll and other expenses.
LAX will get the most – more than $300 million.
John Wayne Airport in Orange County will get nearly $45 million.
Sponsored message
Long Beach, Burbank and Ontario airports will each get between $18 to $22 million.
Santa Monica City Council plans to close its small airport in 2028. So it has been rejecting grants that might impose a requirement to keep operating. The city is still evaluating whether to accept $69,000 in CARES Act money.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
