Virus relief grants to US airports announced by government

A pool of $10 billion in federal grants to U.S. airports ordered by Congress in a $2 trillion aid package are ready for delivery, the government said Tuesday.

The Federal Aviation Administration provided a list of the hundreds of grants, and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said the money is being sent as soon as possible to help the industry that has seen a reduction of more than 95% of airline passengers.

“This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” Chao said in a statement.

The money can be used for payroll, utilities, debt payments and capital expenditures. The normal process that requires airports to spend a portion of their own money on projects funded under such grants is being waived so that the funds can go directly to helping airports, the Transportation Department said.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International, the biggest U.S. airport, will get the largest grant at $338.5 million.