U.S. Airport Losses to Top $14 Billion

March 20, 2020

Financial Loss Estimate More Than Tripled in One Week as Air Traffic Slowed Dramatically in Response to COVID-19

 

WASHINGTON – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) released an updated financial forecast today that projects U.S. airports will lose at least $13.9 billion in 2020 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic. This is the latest downward revision for American airports since the group released a preliminary estimate last week that projected losses to total $3.7 billion. The group expects losses to mount as passenger and cargo traffic continues to slow in response to the spread of COVID-19.

“Our loss estimates are getting worse by the day as airports grapple with this abrupt, unexpected decline in passenger and cargo travel,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “We fully expect these numbers to deteriorate even more as the financial pressure mounts on airports across the U.S. That is why we have asked for federal help so that airports get through this unprecedented virtual shutdown in American aviation.”

Based on preliminary assessments by ACI-NA, the COVID-19 outbreak will cost U.S. airports at least $13.9 billion in calendar year 2020, a significant setback from previously forecasted stable growth prospects. This estimate is based on the following projections:

  • Passenger traffic at U.S. commercial airports is expected to fall by 73 percent in the March to June period, which represents a 53 percent decrease in the first half of 2020 and a 37 percent drop for the full year compared to forecasted 2020 levels.
  • Total passenger enplanement is anticipated to fall by 244 million in the first half of the year and 349 million for the full year.
  • Total airport operating revenue is expected to decrease by roughly $12.3 billion for the calendar year, representing a nearly 49 percent reduction driven by cancellations and other reductions in domestic and international air travel, as well as dramatically lower non-aeronautical revenue.
  • Collection of the Passenger Facility Charge, a critical funding source for U.S. commercial airports, is expected to fall by close to $1.6 billion in 2020.

This comes as the total outstanding debt for U.S. commercial airports stands at roughly $100 billion. U.S. airports will have to pay $7.4 billion in cash payments to service those debt obligations. American airports also face increasing operating expenses due to increases in custodial costs associated with more frequent cleaning of public areas and restrooms, more and upgraded supplies, extra shifts and staffing, additional hand sanitizers in airport public areas for passengers and employees, and additional education and training for airport employees and contractors.

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About ACI-NA

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.