President Donald Trump pledged a bailout Wednesday March 18 for airlines, hotels and other travel businesses that have seen business crater in reaction to restrictions and decreased demand due to the coronavirus.

 

In the White House’s daily coronavirus press briefing, Trump singled out the airline industry as most deserving of assistance but also mentioned other travel businesses. He said details of a bailout haven’t yet been fully developed, including where the lines will be drawn that will decide which industries are eligible for relief.

 

Trump left no question, however, about which travel industry would be first in line.

 

“Airlines would be No. 1,” the president said. “You go from having the best year they have ever had to having no passengers because of what we have had to do to win this war – and it’s a war.”

 

But Trump also mentioned hotels and the cruise ships industries: “They are all prime candidates,” for a bailout. He didn’t dispute a question from a reporter that a deal would provide $50 billion for airlines.

 

In the wake of mass reservations cancellations, planes are flying 20% to 30% full even with massive schedule cuts, an industry group, Airlines for America, reports. “This is getting worse each day with no end in sight,” said the group’s CEO, Nicholas Calio in a statement.

 

Delta Air LInes has said it will park 600 planes as it slashes capacity by 70%. United is cutting capacity by 60%. And hotel industry executives, who met Tuesday March 17 with Trump, said they are hoping for $150 billion – with another $100 billion for industry suppliers.

For more information, please go to usatoday.com

 

 

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