No US airline bailouts needed over coronavirus-hit demand, U.S. business group says

The head of the US Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday that the government will not need to bail out US airlines in the wake of sagging travel demand due to concerns over the coronavirus. “We don’t need any bailouts here,” US Chamber ChE Tom Donohue said. “Bottom line is we’re going to run just like business as usual - with a little higher heartbeat and get it done.” Hours later United Airlines said it would slash 20% of international flights and 10% of US flights in April as it launched a hiring freeze, voluntary unpaid leaves and delayed salary increases for executives. It plans similar flight cuts for May. President Donald Trump said at a meeting with airline executives later on Wednesday that they had not sought any financial assistance. “We haven’t discussed that,” Trump said. Roger Dow, who heads the US Travel Association, said that he considers a bailout unnecessary, but suggested the government could take steps to boost demand for travel. Travel industry officials said the government could reinstate some tax incentives to encourage business travel and spend additional funds to promote US travel destinations.<br/>