BREAKING: U.S. Senators Say Pandemic Relief Plan Would Give Airlines $17 billion

Photo: Reuters

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. airlines would receive $17 billion for four months of payroll support under a new $908 billion bipartisan Senate COVID-19 relief proposal, staffers for two U.S. Senators said on Tuesday.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers announced a package of $45 billion in transportation assistance, and the offices of Senators Mitt Romney and Mark Warner said the plan includes $15 billion for transit systems, $4 billion for airports, $8 billion for private buses and $1 billion for passenger railroad Amtrak.

The $45 billion in transportation assistance is designed to provide assistance for four months. Congress and President-elect Joe Biden can decide next year if more funds should be approved beyond March, Senator Joe Manchin said.

The White House has not yet said it supports the plan, and neither have Congressional leaders. A separate Senate Republican leadership relief plan summary sent to lawmakers later on Tuesday had no reference to additional transportation assistance.

In October, American Airlines and United Airlines furloughed more than 32,000 workers after a prior $25 billion payroll assistance program expired.

U.S. passenger airline traffic remains down by more than 60% and planes are flying on average just half full. Airlines have lost more than $36 billion in 2020.

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