Employees And Local Economies Need Financial Assistance, Officials Say

A bipartisan coalition of Governors and Mayors from across the country issued a joint letter today to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, House Speaker Pelosi, House Minority Leader McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Schumer urging the Administration and Congress to work swiftly to provide financial stability for the U.S. airline industry and the hard-working men and women whose livelihoods rely on it.

"We strongly support immediate and medium to long-term federal assistance to the U.S. aviation industry. Our constituents and local economies are depending on the airline industry to come out of this in a strong position to continue to facilitate travel, tourism and commerce," the letter states.

According to Airlines for America (A4A), the rapid spread of COVID-19, coupled with government and business-imposed travel restrictions, has dramatically decreased demand for business and leisure travel alike, which officials explain "has taken and will continue to take an incredible toll on our state and local economies."

"We strongly support immediate and medium to long-term federal assistance to the U.S. aviation industry. Our constituents and local economies are depending on the airline industry to come out of this in a strong position to continue to facilitate travel, tourism and commerce. As state and local leaders, we are also actively working on policies and programs that will assist those that have been impacted by this historic crisis, including the airline industry."

(Source: A4A news release)

FMI: Letter text