Redmond Airport loses $2 million from big air travel drop due to COVID-19

(Update: adding video and quotes)

Official says airport has used federal funds to make up for lost revenue

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Finding parking at an airport can often be a challenge, in normal times. But in the last few months at Redmond Municipal Airport, it's been as easy as ever.

Like most airports across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, RDM has seen a tremendous drop-off in travelers, compared to last year. Last year in July, the airport saw about 52,000 passengers departing from the airport -- while this July the airport had about 18,000 passengers.

As you might expect, there's also been far fewer drivers using long-term parking at the airport, meaning a drop in parking revenue. Overall, the airport is only earning about 30% of its normal revenue.

Airport Director Zachary Bass told NewsChannel 21 the airport has lost $2 million in parking revenue over the past six months.

Earlier this year, the airport finished construction on 500 more parking spots to help deal with the squeeze faced by many peak-season air travelers. That parking lot has now been temporarily converted to an employee-only lot.

The federal CARES Act has provided the airport with $9 million amid the steep drop in revenues. Bass said he hopes that financial aid will last for a while.

“We really don’t know when we will get back to full capacity we saw prior to the pandemic," Bass said.