Airports in the Atlantic region that are facing a net loss of $76-million this year are “anxiously awaiting” further details on an air sector relief package announced this week by the federal government.

Derrick Stanford, the President of the Atlantic Canada Airports Association, says passengers are the main source of operating revenue for airports and with virtually no passenger traffic since March, airports have either been borrowing to pay debt or using safety capital reserves to keep going.

He says airports will be “critical” to rebuilding strong economies post-COVID.

He says while federal support is critical and appreciated, airports still have a bumpy road ahead.