Gerald R. Ford Airport Sees 95% Decrease in Travelers
Year after year, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport has been hitting its best numbers... until the coronavirus happened.
President & CEO of the Airport Authority told MiBiz that passenger traffic has been down 95% since mid-March. In comparison, last April the airport made almost $5 million in revenue, this year only a $500K profit is expected.
Typically, the Grand Rapids airport sees 12,000 to 14,000 passengers a day. On Monday, it might see 300, Richardson said.
According to MiBiz, 75% of the money G.R. Ford Airport makes is from parking fees and terminal renting fees from the airlines.
Airport officials anticipate they will bounce back from the hit but say it'll probably take a few months.
The airport remains open for essential travel.
Last week, the Grand Rapids airport received $16 million as part of the CARES Act Grant which paid out $10B to airports in the U.S. for economic relief.