Airlines, labor unions push for a third round of federal aid with travel demand still depressed

Some airline executives and labor unions are seeking a third round of billions in federal aid as tens of thousands of workers again face furloughs with travel demand still depressed in the pandemic.

The current round of aid, $15 billion, expires on April 1, and American Airlines and United Airlines over the past week have warned they could cut a combined 27,000 jobs then. Those funds can only be used to pay workers and requires that they call back furloughed workers and maintain current jobs.

“Essential workers have been living with incredible chaos and uncertainty. The furloughs are felt by the entire workforce,” Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the country’s largest flight attendant union, said in written testimony at a House hearing Thursday. “A continuation of [payroll support] can’t wait.”

Congress set aside $25 billion in aid designed to keep employees on the payroll at the start of the pandemic last year that required them to maintain jobs until Oct. 1. A $15 billion aid package was passed in the latest coronavirus relief bill in December that has the same terms through March 31.

“We are fully behind our union leaders’ efforts to fight for an extension and we will lend our time and energy to support this effort in every way we can,” American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said in a staff note announcing 13,000 furlough warnings on Wednesday. “Our nation’s leaders understand the vital role airline workers play in keeping the country moving. They showed their support last year and we will encourage them to do the same again as the pandemic continues around the world.”

Last week, United airlines told staff that it is “continuing to monitor demand and advocate for continued government support, and we are all working hard toward the day when we can bring back our furloughed co-workers permanently.

Travel demand is still weak. U.S. airlines lost a record $34 billion in 2020 and have warned they expect a rocky start to 2021 as they navigate new travel restrictions and testing requirements.

Last month, the U.S. started requiring inbound travelers to test negative for Covid-19 to board flights to the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now “actively looking” at making Covid tests mandatory for domestic travel, something the industry vehemently opposes.

Asked whether the industry should get a third round of federal aid, JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes told CNBC on Monday that the hard-hit travel and hospitality sector has been among the hardest-hit parts of the economy.

“I think that it’s right and natural that that’s where support should be targeted,” said Hayes.