On December 7, 2023, the United States DOT Inspector General has initiated an audit of the FAAs oversight on relief funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation (CRRSA) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). According to the initial report from DOT Office of Inspector General, eligible U.S. airports were awarded $10 billion in economic relief.
Airports Using ARPA / CRSA Funds In 2023
The FAA established the Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program (AGRCP) for ARPA and CRRSA grants in response to the affects of the coronavirus pandemic. Over 630 concession relief grants and 4,100 economic relief grants have been issued. This year, Red Way out of Lincoln Nebraska received $3 million in ARPA funds from from Lancaster County and the City of Lincoln for new nonstop flights out of Lincoln Airport. In a prior audit conducted by the DOT Inspector General, the agency found, “weaknesses in FAA’s policies and procedures for monitoring the relief funds that we determined contributed to more than $271 million in unsupported costs, $85 million in questioned costs, and $3 million of improper payments.” (OIG library-item39738)