How US Airlines Must Use $15 Billion Of Federal Aid From Stimulus Package

U.S. airlines $15 billion in new payroll assistance that will allow them to return more than 32,000 furloughed workers to their payrolls through March 31.

The new stimulus package would require airlines to broaden their flight destinations and call back more than 30,000 workers who were furloughed in the fall, Reuters reports.

In October, American Airlines furloughed 19,000 employees and suspended flights to smaller U.S. airports. United Airlines furloughed more than 13,000 employees. Since the pandemic, Delta Air Lines has asked thousands of employees to take unpaid leaves of absence.

As a part of the CARES Act, which was passed in March, the airline industry received $25 billion out of the $2.2 trillion stimulus package.

Accepting federal aid meant airlines were required to maintain minimum service levels and keep workers on the payroll through Sept. 30.

U.S. airlines lose an estimated $180 million in cash daily during the pandemic, according to industry lobby Airlines for America. Carriers have seen a 65-70% decrease in travelers and a rising number of cancellations.

Although the latest bill is expected to help financial aid a variety of industries and Americans, Capitol Hill has yet to reach an agreement to officially approve the package.

Earlier this month, Southwest Airlines warned workers that they may have to furlough more than 6,800 employees unless Congress passed a relief bill or the carrier reached cost-cutting agreements with unions.