RHINELANDER - The recently signed CARES Act will grant $10 billion to airports across the country to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Most airports around the state are down about 95% when it comes to passengers," said Rhinelander-Oneida County airport director Matthew Leitner. "The Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport is set to receive $1,100,712. As the year progresses, the loss of revenue will become more prevalent, and we'll need to tap into these grant funds to make up for it."

The money must be used for capital improvement projects. Leitner said there are already a few in the works at the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport.

"Those projects include rehabilitation on our passenger terminal, a new fuel farm over at Rhinelander Flying Service, a lot of pavement improvement projects, painting, and some design work for years to come," said Leitner.

Despite a decrease in travelers, the airport is still fully operational with extra safety measures in place.

"Safety is always paramount" said Leitner. "We would never compromise safety for the sake of a decrease in revenue. We would close the airport before we did anything like that."

Leitner hopes to see a rise in flights once stay-at-home orders are eventually lifted.

"Human behavior is hard to predict, especially at unprecedented times like this. We certainly hope that will be the case, and I think we are well prepared for it," said Leitner.

Link:
CARES Act grants $10 billion to aid airports during pandemic - WJFW-TV