Spokane International Airport is receiving a $29.6 million economic relief grant to support operations during the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced.

The airport is one of 62 in the state that will receive funding from the Federal Aviation Administration as part of the CARES Act, which is providing $10 billion in aid to airports nationwide to help offset the economic impact of the coronavirus.

“The CARES Act funding represents important financial assistance that will help Spokane Airports maintain liquidity as we manage forward during the next several months,” Spokane Airports CEO Larry Krauter said in a statement.

The grants can be used for airport capital projects; operating expenses, including payroll and utilities; and debt payments. They also can be used to replace lost revenue from declining passenger traffic as a result of COVID-19, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation release.

Several airlines have reduced or adjusted flight schedules amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Alaska Airlines in March announced plans to reduce its flight schedule by 70% in April and May following a sharp decline in demand. Southwest Airlines is reducing its flight schedule by more than 40%, or about 2,000 flights per day through June 5.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Spokane International Airport set a record for passenger activity in 2019, exceeding more than 4 million travelers for the first time in its history.

The airport has more than 160 full- and part-time employees, according to airport documents. Under the CARES Act, it is required to retain 90% of its workforce as of March 27, when the law was enacted.

Elsewhere in the state, the Pullman-Moscow and Walla Walla regional airports each received a $18 million grant. Sea-Tac International Airport received a $192 million grant.