Federal Grants Helping Cape Cod Gateway Airport Bounce Back

HYANNIS, MA — Cape Cod Gateway Airport received a federal grant of more than $1.1 million to help with its recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday.

The grant is part of an $8 billion package included in the American Rescue Plan Act. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, airports can use the money to reimburse operational expenses, make debt-service payments and covers costs related to combating the spread of COVID-19. It can also be used to provide rent relief to retail and concession companies inside airport terminals.

"The Airport Rescue Grants keep workers employed and help the aviation sector recover as more Americans get vaccinated and begin traveling again," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "These grants are part of the Administration’s commitment to build back a better and safer transportation system throughout our country."

Kate Servis, the manager for the Barnstable airport, said she's thankful the federal government gave the airport another grant. This was the third Cape Cod Gateway Airport has received since the beginning of the pandemic.

"The grant relief came at a time when the airport most needed it," said Servis, who explained that the airport lost 50 percent of its revenue during the pandemic. "The airport is very grateful for the gift we received because it allows us to get back in a normal mode of business with a bit more ease."

With this newest round of grants, Servis said the airport will use $20,000 of it to provide concession relief to car rental companies and parking lot managers. Servis said she wanted to make sure the concessioners were taken care because they were also hit hard by the pandemic, when no one was flying.

The airport will use other money included in the grant to make sure operating costs are paid, especially as the airport works towards finding new revenue sources. Recently, the airport took control of the Capetown Plaza and makes revenue from leasing storefronts to retailers.

And with the grants and new revenue sources, Servis said she's optimistic the airport will continue steadily recovering from the pandemic. She said the bounce back started, but it's been slow.

Servis said Cape Air's passengers are steadily returning, and the airline can operate more flights now. She also said Jet Blue always does well on Cape Cod with its flights to JFK International Airport in New York City, but will do better with the kids being out of school.