Commercial flights reduced while Vermont F-35 continue to fly during pandemic
By Aidan Quigley
April 9, 2020
The Burlington International Airport is facing a loss of between $20 million and $30 million in revenues due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus, a figure that far exceeds the amount the airport is expecting to receive from the federal relief package.
While the number of flights and passengers has dwindled in recent weeks, the airport will remain open for at least 19 flights a week. Airlines are required to remain in operation to be eligible for federal stimulus funding.
Gene Richards, the airport’s director of aviation, said the airport has seen around 100 passengers a day, compared to the average of 1,400 to 1,700 passengers the airport would expect to see each day in the spring.
“It’s not good for air service,” Richards said. “It’s fantastic for the governor’s and the mayor’s orders, which is to cut it back and stay at home. So it’s working, and we’re excited about that.”