Action Alert: Please Keep Pressure on Washington to Address Airports, Aviation Ecosystem in Relief Efforts

With the October 1 date for thousands of possible airline industry layoffs just a few hours away and with House and Senate leaders on the cusp of leaving Washington until after the elections, there is a flurry of activity today surrounding the next phase of coronavirus relief.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin continue to meet to try and bridge the gap between the revised $2.2 trillion relief package House leaders unveiled on Monday evening and the $1.5 trillion that the White House has reportedly indicated that it is willing to support.  
 
While the odds remain long for an immediate breakthrough and resolution, we need to make sure the needs of airports, airlines, and our industry partners, including concessionaires, are front and center as Washington contemplates a possible agreement.  The airlines and their unions continue to aggressively beat the drum on the impending layoffs and push for an extension of the Payroll Support Program.  A4A issued a press release this morning indicating that time is running out to save thousands of airline jobs.  
 
We have done a good job of bringing the needs of airports to the forefront in Washington, but we need to remind lawmakers at this critical juncture of the importance of ensuring that the entire aviation ecosystem - airports, airlines, concessionaires - are addressed in any final coronavirus relief agreement that may emerge.  If Democrats and Republicans do reach an agreement on the overall size of a potential package, decisions on what to include and what to leave out will happen very quickly.  
 
With that in mind, we urge you to contact House and Senate offices now to emphasize the importance of immediate relief for your airport and your community.
 
Draft Talking Points

• On behalf of _______, I urge you to ensure that airports, airlines, and concessionaires are included in any future coronavirus relief package.

• The aviation industry is facing unprecedented challenges and is in desperate need of federal support. Our nation's economic recovery depends on a strong aviation system.

• The revised Heroes legislation that House Democratic leaders unveiled this week includes $13.5 billion to help airports and concessionaires deal with the severe financial pressures related to the coronavirus and extends the airline Payroll Support Program. We fully support these important proposals.

• Support for the aviation industry is not a partisan issue. The Senate Republicans HEALS Act included $10 billion for airports, and concessionaire relief and extending the Payroll Support Program also have bipartisan, bicameral support.

• We deeply appreciate the assistance that Congress provided to airports in the CARES Act. But as the coronavirus crisis drags on, it is becoming increasingly clear that airports and our partners are going to need additional assistance to survive in the months and years ahead.

• Getting federal funds out the door and into local communities as quickly as possible would ensure that airports can continue to respond to new operational demands, pay for debt service on their bonds, and help keep their critical safety and security projects on track.

• Please make sure that the next coronavirus relief package includes critical funding to help airports, airlines, and concessionaires respond to the coronavirus pandemic.