Atlantic Canadian airports are facing a long road to recovery after the pandemic dealt heavy blows to their operations over the last year and a half, but a new funding initiative hopes to offset some of those losses.

The Atlantic Canada Airports Association says passenger travel plummeted by about 90 per cent since 2019, resulting in a net loss of $80-million last year and a forecasted $105-million loss this year.

About $39-million has been promised for the Atlantic region in the newly-announced Regional Air Transportation Initiative, which the association says will help get airports back on their feet.

Association president Goronwy Price says the funds, in addition to supports from Transport Canada, will make it possible for Atlantic airports to continue operating until travel demand recovers.

Price says air travel will be a critical element in rebuilding the economy.