Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is set to receive around $13.7 million per year for the next five years, according to CEO Candace McGraw. The money will come from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden last year.
Along with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), McGraw gave updates on the airport’s capital improvement project as part of a press conference on Wednesday.
They plan to use those funds for several projects, including pavement rehabilitation and the purchase and installation of new passenger loading bridges. They are also continuing to invest in and update their terminals.
“We’re also in the process of demolishing some of our oldest buildings at CVG to make room for new aeronautical development,” McGraw said
The airport received about $43 million from the federal CARES Act during the pandemic and another $21 million from the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSA). Because of the cargo activity at the airport through companies like DHL and Amazon, the CRRSA and CARES Act money kept the airport afloat during the worst of the pandemic, officials said.
“It is exciting to see the business grow,” McConnell said.
McGraw credited McConnell and his team with his support through the pandemic.
“Because of that support we receive, we’re emerging from the pandemic in a very strong position,” McGraw said.
CVG’s passenger growth is now about 85% of its pre-pandemic levels. Air Canada recently restarted Toronto service, and Delta restarted service to Paris. American Airlines announced service to Raleigh-Durham, which will be their 12th market served from CVG.
“American has grown 18% at CVG,” McGraw said.
Cargo also makes up a considerable chunk of business at the airport, as well.
“We had 174,000 tons of cargo move through this airport in July,” McGraw said, making it the 19th largest cargo airport in the world.