The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748, Public Law 116-136) (PDF), signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020, includes $10 billion in funds to be awarded as economic relief to eligible U.S. airports affected by the prevention of, preparation for, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CARES Act provides funds to increase the federal share to 100 percent for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and supplemental discretionary grants already planned for fiscal year 2020. Under normal circumstances, AIP grant recipients contribute a matching percentage of the project costs. Providing this additional funding and eliminating the local share will allow critical safety and capacity projects to continue as planned regardless of airport sponsors’ current financial circumstances.

Additionally, the CARES Act provides new funds distributed by various formulas for all airports that are part of the national airport system. This includes all commercial service airports, all reliever airports and some public-owned general aviation airports.

Under this new CARES Airport Program:

• Primary commercial service airports, with more than 10,000 annual passenger boardings, will receive additional funds based on the number of annual boardings, in a similar way to how they currently receive AIP entitlement funds.
• All commercial service airports will receive funds based on the number of passengers that board aircraft there, the amount of debt an airport has, and the amount of money the airport has in reserve.
• General aviation airports will receive funds based on their airport categories, such as National, Regional, Local, Basic and Unclassified.

The FAA made these funds available in April, and airport sponsors should work with their local Office of Airports field office to apply for a CARES Act Airport Grant. The FAA will continue to update CARES Act Airport Grants -- Frequently Asked Questions, as needed.

CARES Act Application

• SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance
  • SAMPLE SF 424 for CARES Act Funding (PDF) (April 20, 2020)
    Sample applies to non-development grants only. For CARES Act Airport Grants for airport development, contact your ADO or Regional office.

CARES Act Resources

• CARES Act Airport Grants – Frequently Asked Questions (Updated) (PDF) (updated December 3, 2020)
• CARES Act Airport Grants Presentation (PDF) (April 14, 2020)
• Sample CARES Act Airport Grants Closeout Report (MS Word) (added December 3, 2020)
• Map of CARES Act Airport Grants