WSJ News Exclusive
Airlines Seek $50 Billion Coronavirus Aid Package
Assistance under discussion—which could include government-backed loans, cash grants—would be three times size of industry's post-9/11 bailout
A wave of disruptions to air travel following the coronavirus epidemic has led to an 80% drop in traffic at China's busiest airports. WSJ explains why some analysts expect the impact on the global aviation industry could be greater than that of SARS or 9/11. Photo: Alex Plavevski/Shutterstock
Alison Sider
@alyrose
alison.sider@wsj.com
in Chicago and
Ted Mann
@TMannWSJ
ted.mann
Ted.Mann@wsj.com
in Washington
Updated March 16, 2020 7:28 pm ET
Reeling from the coronavirus crisis, U.S. airlines are seeking over $50 billion in financial assistance from the government, more than three times the size of the industry's bailout after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The exact form of the aid—and the amount—is under discussion with Trump administration officials and congressional leaders. A potential aid package could include government-backed loans, cash grants and other measures including relief from taxes and fees, according to an airline trade group and others familiar with the discussions.
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