The Schuylkill County Commissioners forgave a principal and interest loan payment for the Schuylkill County Airport Authority last week.

The amount was $20,293 and due Nov. 1. The original loan amount was $400,000 in 2013 for building a new hangar at the airport.

Bill Willard, airport manager, said the forgiveness is appreciated. He did not attend the meeting. He said the authority sent a letter to the commissioners months ago informing them they likely would not be able to make the payment. Willard said it is because of “operational budget constraints.”

For example, he said the insurance costs are “more than our operating budget.” Expenses such as fuel, electric and are also increasing. The pandemic is not the reason for the request, which he said the commissioners asked for formally after receiving the initial letter.

Willard said a $5,000 interest payment is due next year. He said the payment is in the anticipated upcoming budget.