US airlines seek at least $50 billion in aid to combat coronavirus crisis
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
U.S. passenger airlines are seeking at least $50 billion in financial support from the government amid what many are calling an unprecedented slump in air travel from novel coronavirus pandemic.
Industry body Airlines for America (A4A) has requested the aid through a combination of grants and loans, the organization said Monday. A4A’s proposal seeks $25 billion in grants to make up for a shortfall in liquidity — or cash on hand plus access to credit — and $25 billion in unsecured loans or loan guarantees.
In addition, A4A is seeking tax relief for airlines backdated to the beginning of 2020.
Get Coronavirus travel updates. Stay on top of industry impacts, flight cancellations, and more.
“We’re going to back the airlines 100%, it’s not their fault, it’s nobody’s fault,” said President Donald Trump on Monday afternoon without addressing A4A’s proposal.
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines are among A4A’s members.
Airlines have seen an unprecedented drop in demand amid the COVID-19 crisis. In a letter to employees on Sunday, United CEO Oscar Munoz and president Scott Kirby said revenues in March alone are on track to be $1.5 billion lower than in 2019. They added that even with plans to halve the size of the airline in April and May, the percent of seats filled could be as low as 20%.
Related: United Airlines cuts capacity by half through at least May
The $50 billion ask aims to help shore up airlines balance sheets for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. Preserving cash, and having access to credit, is key to the operation of any company and is critical to airlines keeping their doors open for the duration.
Not everyone thinks U.S. carriers need financial support. In a report earlier on Monday, J.P. Morgan analysts Jamie Baker and Mark Streeter said they “generally prefer the U.S. not interfere with airlines,” but at the same time noted some support was likely.
“Governments throughout the world will need to, and in the case of the U.S., will want to, step in,” they wrote.
Related: US ‘Big 3’ well-positioned survive possible coronavirus crisis shakeout
A4A’s aid request is not unprecedented though the amount is. After 9/11, the federal government gave airlines $5 billion in grants and tasked the Air Transport Stabilization Board to lend the industry up to another $10 billion. However, only about $1.6 billion was ever lent and the majority went to smaller carriers that no longer exist.
The Trump administration plans to use the post-9/11 airline relief package as a template for what they do in response to the coronavirus, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Many airline leaders have said the drop in demand due to COVID-19 is worse than what they saw after 9/11.
“I’m optimistic we will receive their support,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on the aid discussions with lawmakers in an employee memo on March 13. “That said, the form and value is unpredictable, and we can’t put our company’s future at risk waiting on aid from our government.”
Related: US airlines could retire older aircraft due to coronavirus downturn
Additional reporting by Zach Wichter.
Featured image by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.