Higgins: Over $23.53 million in emergency funding for local airports

Federal COVID-19 relief coming to Buffalo & Niagara Falls airports

Congressman Brian Higgins announced a total of $23,539,403 in federal funding to support local airports whose operations have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Travel restrictions have led to only essential travel, emptying out our airports of most passengers, while still requiring airports to operate,” Higgins said. “This provides critical resources to help maintain vital services while our airports operate under a national state of emergency.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, approved by Congress on March 27, provided $10 billion nationwide to support airports providing essential travel. New York airports received over $411 million. Below is the breakdown of funding for airports in Erie and Niagara Counties:

√ Buffalo Niagara International Airport: $21,647,814

√ Niagara Falls Airport: $1,890,589

√ Buffalo Airfield (West Seneca): $1,000

•Total: $23,539,403

This funding is in addition to the $61 million previously provided to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) to support bus and rail public transportation operations through the coronavirus public health emergency.