The Sugar Land Regional Airport will receive $157,000 in federal relief funding for airports and aviation under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
The CARES Act—which was signed into law by President Donald Trump at the end of March—provided $10 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is distributing the money to individual airports.
Elizabeth Rosenbaum, director of aviation at the Sugar Land Regional Airport, said the airport is reviewing its operational needs and determining the best ways to use the funding.
“There are several ways that the airport could use the funds,” Rosenbaum said in an email. “The FAA has left it somewhat open; however, it is clear that the funds may not be used for any purpose not related to the airport.”
Rosenbaum said airport operations have decreased 90% because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, Rosenbaum said GlobalSelect—a full-service fixed-base operator that provides aircraft services and is owned and operated by the airport—saw a significant decrease in fuel sales.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, GlobalSelect was averaging more than 9,000 gallons of fuel sales daily, Rosenbaum said. In early April, the company averaged 1,100 gallons per day.
These fuel sales make up 87% of the airport’s revenue, Rosenbaum said.
Rosenbaum said other businesses on the airfield are also experiencing the effects of the coronavirus and seeking additional resources.
Still, she said the airport is in a stable place financially.
“We are carefully monitoring our expenditures closely, and intentionally identifying savings,” Rosenbaum said in an email. “There are projects that have been postponed indefinitely until we can determine the overall exact impact COVID-19 will have on the airport.”
Rosenbaum said the funding, which was allocated to airports according to their type and classification, will provide some financial relief caused by the coronavirus.
“We are appreciative of the grant funding from the FAA,” Rosenbaum said in an email.
A map of airports receiving federal funding from the CARES Act can be found below.
