JetBlue and Spirit Airlines face tough choice: Fly largely empty planes or lose coronavirus aid
Two US airlines have been told by regulators to keep flying routes that carriers say have little or no demand in order to qualify for federal funding. The DoT Thursday denied most of the requests by JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines to reduce or suspend flying in response to collapsing demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. The agency, which is responsible for deciding the amount of flying airlines must maintain to receive govt funds, said both airlines could suspend service to destinations in Puerto Rico, where incoming flights are restricted. The stimulus package passed late last month included US$50b in grants and loans to airlines, with requirements for them to maintain a certain number of flights and destinations, even as passenger numbers fell by 95% or more from pre-pandemic levels. <br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2020-04-17/unaligned/jetblue-and-spirit-airlines-face-tough-choice-fly-largely-empty-planes-or-lose-coronavirus-aid
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JetBlue and Spirit Airlines face tough choice: Fly largely empty planes or lose coronavirus aid
Two US airlines have been told by regulators to keep flying routes that carriers say have little or no demand in order to qualify for federal funding. The DoT Thursday denied most of the requests by JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines to reduce or suspend flying in response to collapsing demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. The agency, which is responsible for deciding the amount of flying airlines must maintain to receive govt funds, said both airlines could suspend service to destinations in Puerto Rico, where incoming flights are restricted. The stimulus package passed late last month included US$50b in grants and loans to airlines, with requirements for them to maintain a certain number of flights and destinations, even as passenger numbers fell by 95% or more from pre-pandemic levels. <br/>
