The association representing the US airline industry is asking for a combination of $58 billion in grants and interest-free loans, warning they could run out of money before the end of the year because of the impact of Covid-19.
They are also asking for the temporary suspension of airline industry excise taxes, including taxes on tickets, cargo and fuel. In a statement, Airlines for America (A4A) said the downturn in demand for commercial air transportation is causing unprecedented harm to the industry. It said net bookings for the next few months have been exceeding negative 100% as cancellations outpace new bookings and trending worse each day. “This is a today problem, not a tomorrow problem. It requires urgent action,” said A4A CEO Nicholas E. Calio. A4A members include American, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, Hawaiian and cargo carriers UPS, Atlas Air and FedEx.