US airlines lobby White House for another round of federal aid

The chiefs of majors US airlines converged on the White House Thursday to advocate for another round of federal support to avert thousands of impending layoffs. "There's enormous bipartisan support for an extension of the payroll program which would keep those people employed," American Airlines CE Doug Parker said ahead of a meeting with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. "The only problem we have is we do not have a vehicle for getting it done," he added. American is among the US carriers that have warned of significant job cuts from October 1 without another round of funding. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled strong support for airlines, and a measure to provide additional aid has garnered bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Yet the prospects for aid remain clouded by a fight between Democrats and Republicans on a broader stimulus bill that has dragged on for weeks. Parker was joined at the White House by the chiefs of United, Delta, Southwest and lobbying group Airlines for America.<br/>