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GOP senators introduce new airline support bill
Two Republican Senators tabled a bill to fund payroll costs for airlines for an additional six months.
Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the commerce committee and Sen. Susan Collins, of the transportation funding subcommittee, said the bill would guarantee salaries for workers at airlines and airport contractors through March 2021.
The current federal funding for the industry runs out in just a few days, which could lead to tens of thousands of job losses.
There is bipartisan support for more aid for airlines but it has been held up by differing stances on a wider economic relief bill.
Unless funds are made available quickly, up to 40,000 airline jobs could go.
"The CARES Act successfully saved thousands of jobs that support the airline industry and provided these businesses with some breathing space after the drastic drop in air travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic," Wicker said.
"However, the market has not turned around as much as we had hoped, and additional relief is needed."
According to Transportation Security Administration screening data, passenger traffic numbers are still nearly 70% down on pre-pandemic levels.
Airlines and unions have been pushing hard for more money and airline CEOs met with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows last week over the issue.
The latest legislation proposal would extend the current payroll funding but will be based on updated labor costs.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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