Jets of US carrier are parked on a runway at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and major US airlines reached an agreement on April 14, 2020, on aid to pay workers and avoid bankruptcies in an industry that employs 750,000 people amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
Jets of US carrier are parked on a runway at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and major US airlines reached an agreement on April 14, 2020, on aid to pay workers and avoid bankruptcies in an industry that employs 750,000 people amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
Jets of US carrier are parked on a runway at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and major US airlines reached an agreement on April 14, 2020, on aid to pay workers and avoid bankruptcies in an industry that employs 750,000 people amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
Jets of US carrier are parked on a runway at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and major US airlines reached an agreement on April 14, 2020, on

US airlines and government reach agreement on coronavirus aid


  • English
  • Arabic

Ten US airlines reached an agreement with the government to accept financial support from $58 billion (Dh213bn) allocated for carriers out of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus approved last month, according to the Treasury Department.

"We welcome the news that a number of major airlines intend to participate in the Payroll Support Program," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

The airlines which include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines, SkyWest Airlines and Southwest Airlines applied for parts of $25bn in payroll grants.

"This is an important CARES Act program that will support American workers and help preserve the strategic importance of the airline industry while allowing for appropriate compensation to the taxpayers," Mr Mnuchin said.

The payroll grants programme requires airlines to agree not to furlough or cut the pay rates of employees through September 30. It also require carriers that take part to pay back 30 per cent of the grants, according to some media reports.

Airlines worldwide are fighting a severe cash shortage as the pandemic triggers country lockdowns and crushes air travel demand. Carriers are taking unprecedented measures to preserve their existence with dramatic capacity reductions and preserving cash as revenue withers.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) estimates airlines will lose $314bn in revenue this year, 55 per cent less than 2019, due to the coronavirus impact and will require $200bn in government aid.

Iata has urged governments to quickly implement pledges of financial support for carriers, warning that 25 million jobs are at risk in a scenario of three months of travel restrictions combined with the plunge in air travel demand.

Mr Mnuchin said other airlines may join the program, and the department is reviewing applications for smaller passenger air carriers.

“Conversations continue with other airlines regarding their potential participation," the secretary said.

"Treasury is also working to review and approve applications for smaller passenger air carriers as quickly as possible and will provide further guidance for cargo carriers and contractors very soon," he added. "We look forward to working with the airlines to finalise the necessary agreements and disburse funds as quickly as possible.”

Results

2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili

3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

INFO

Schools can register for the Abu Dhabi Schools Championships at www.champions.adsc.ae

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

match info

Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

Brief scores:

Southampton 2

Armstrong 13', Soares 20'

Manchester United 2

Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Where can I submit a sample?

Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.

Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:

  • Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
  • Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
  • Al Towayya in Al Ain
  • NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
  • Bareen International Hospital
  • NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
  • NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
  • NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now