aviation industry

US airlines lobby White House for another round of federal aid

Agence France-Presse

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US airlines lobby White House for another round of federal aid

American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker (C) speaks alongside other airline executives, including Delta CEO Ed Bastian (L), United CEO Scott Kirby (2nd L), Hawaiian president and CEO Peter Ingram (3rd L), Southwest Airlines chairman and CEO Gary Kelly (3rd R), Airlines for America president and CEO Nicholas Calio (2nd R), and Alaska president and CEO Brad Tilden (R), following a meeting at the White House about extending economic assistance to the airlines in Washington, DC, September 17, 2020. - The executives met with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

AFP

Airline executives in the United States meet with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows as they push for more aid amid the travel downturn

The chiefs of major United States airlines converged on the White House on Thursday, September 17, to advocate for another round of federal support to avert thousands of impending layoffs.

“There’s enormous bipartisan support for an extension of the payroll program which would keep those people employed,” American Airlines chief executive Doug Parker said ahead of a meeting with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

“The only problem we have is we do not have a vehicle for getting it done,” he added.

American is among the US carriers that have warned of significant job cuts from October 1 without another round of funding.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled strong support for airlines, and a measure to provide additional aid has garnered bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. 

Yet the prospects for aid remain clouded by a fight between Democrats and Republicans on a broader stimulus bill that has dragged on for weeks.

The industry’s outlook remains precarious in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing downturn in airline travel. Total passenger travel in the United States is currently only about one-fourth the level compared with the year-ago period, according to government data.

Airlines received billions in federal support earlier this year as part of the CARES Act, on the condition they do not involuntarily cut staff through the end of September.  

Parker was joined at the White House by the chiefs of United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and lobbying group Airlines for America.

Delta on Thursday said it increased a debt offering to $9 billion from its original $6.5 billion in the latest move by a carrier to raise cash to ride out the downturn. 

The Atlanta-based carrier has said it opted for the financing – which is secured by its frequent flier program – rather than participating in the federal loan program under the CARES Act. – Rappler.com

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