US dollars ($105 million) previously paid and designated for improvements towards Puerto Rico International Airport must be returned back to the United States if International Airport Luis Munoz Marin is privatized.
Why is this important?
The people of Puerto Rico greatly appreciated Senator Durbin’s position and comments requesting the need to establish a formula to recover federal funds that have been paid, including funds already designated but not yet disbursed towards improvements to the Luís Muñoz Marín International Airport of Puerto Rico, before any plans to lease or privatize the airport may be approved.
Not only has $105 million been allotted for the years 2010-2012 for airport improvements; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized charging $520 million in passengers’ fees (Passenger Facilities Charge –PFC) up to the year 2033.
According to the contract, these monies would go directly to Aerostar Holdings LLC, the private corporation that would take over our airport.
