Senators seek Skies Act
Senators Markey and Blumenthal
will introduce legislation convening
aviation, security, and public health experts
to ensure safe air travel during
and after coronavirus pandemic
New bill would instruct HHS, DHS,
and DOT to convene a joint task force on
the operation of air travel during and
after the COVID-19 pandemic
Senators Edward J. Markey (DMass.)
and Richard Blumenthal (DConn.),
members of the Commerce, Science,
and Transportation Committee,
today announced introducing the Restoring
Safety in the Skies Act of 2020.
The legislation instructs the Department
of Health and Human Services,
Department of Homeland Security, and
Department of Transportation to establish
a joint task force responsible for
developing plans, guidelines, and recommend
requirements to address the
logistical, health, safety, and security
issues arising from continued air travel
during the coronavirus pandemic, as
well as the resumption of full operations
at airports and increased passenger
air travel after the current emergency
ends.
“The coronavirus has had an enormous
impact on every person and industry
in the United States, but air
travel has been uniquely affected by the
current pandemic,” said Senator Markey.
“That’s why experts across all of
the relevant agencies and groups must
4 AIRPORT VOICE, MAY 2020
come together to address the immediate
challenges to safety in our skies, as
well as start planning for the ‘new normal’
after the coronavirus subsides. My
legislation will task airports, airlines,
aviation workers, public health experts,
and many others to develop comprehensive
plans for protecting the safety and
security of the flying public. We must be
smart and think big as we tackle these
unprecedented challenges.”
“The Air Travel Task Force created
by this legislation will tackle head-on
the unprecedented aviation challenges
brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,”
said Senator Blumenthal. “Formed by a
broad field of specialists including aviation
workers, public health experts, and
airports, the task force will help ensure
the immediate safety and health of our
flying public and workers. As we look
beyond this crisis, the recommendations,
plans, and guidelines of the task
force will chart a clear path to resuming
safe, responsible operations and
travel.”
The Restoring Safety in the Skies Act
would specifically convene representatives
from: the Department of Transportation,
the Department of Homeland
Security, the Department of Health and
Human Services, the Federal Aviation
Administration, the Transportation Security
Administration, U.S. Customs
and Border Protection, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Port Airports receive grants
JFK, LGA & Stewart benefit
JFK, LaGuardia and Stewart
airport will receive nearly $300
million from the $10 billion Airport
Grant Program that was
passed by Congress as part of the
response to the COVID-19 shutdown.
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.
JFK will receive more than
$193.3 million and LaGuardia
nearly $103 million with Stewart
receiving about $6 million.. Both
are run by the Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey.
The funding will support continuing
operations and replace
lost revenue resulting from the
sharp decline in passenger traffic
and other airport business due to
the COVID-19 public health emergency,
according to a statement released
by the U.S. Department of
Transportation on Tuesday.
Sec. DOT Chao gives AIP Grants.
“This $10 billion in emergency
resources will help fund the continued
operations of our nation’s
airports during this crisis and
save workers’ jobs,” Transportation
Secretary Elaine Chao said
in the release.
The funds are available for airport
capital expenditures and operating
expenses including payroll
and utilities, and airport debt
payments.