US airlines to get $17 bn for 4 months of payroll aid under Covid relief

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, a spokeswoman for Senator Mark Warner said Tuesday.

Warner’s office 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 next year can decide if more funds should be approved beyond March, Senator Joe Manchin said.

The proposal does not yet have the support of the White House or Congressional leaders.