Dear Mateo:
Thank you for writing to me regarding the coronavirus pandemic and air travel. I appreciate hearing from you, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.
The coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the air travel industry. Across the globe, airports are nearly empty and flights are grounded because of strict international travel limitations and widespread stay-at-home orders. While physical distancing measures are proven to slow the spread of the virus, airlines have made clear that without immediate financial assistance, services may have to be decreased or altogether discontinued. Please know that I am committed to ensuring the domestic air industry—including passenger and cargo airlines, airports, and affiliated contractors—are protected during this turbulent time.
That is why I supported the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which the President signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides $29 billion in direct assistance grants to passenger and cargo airlines to ensure employees remain on payroll, and an additional $29 billion in loans. Importantly, the funds include protections for employees and limits on executive compensation.
I am concerned by reports that airlines receiving CARES Act funds have cut employee hours and have begun to furlough workers. I believe Congress must conduct strong oversight of the distribution of these funds, which is why I am pleased the CARES Act includes several provisions to detect and prevent fraud, including a Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, a special inspector general position, and a COVID-19 Congressional Oversight Commission. Despite these efforts, I recognize more must be done to make sure stimulus funds are used the way Congress intended.
Additionally, I believe airline carriers should provide immediate cash refunds—rather than travel vouchers—to travelers impacted by the coronavirus. You may be interested to know that Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the “Cash Refunds for Coronavirus Cancellations Act” (S. 3727) on May 13, 2020. This bill would require major airlines and ticket suppliers to provide full cash refunds for cancelled tickets for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. S. 3727 is currently awaiting consideration by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, of which I am not a member.
Finally, it is important to ensure that ongoing air travel remains safe during this crisis. That is why I sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom on April 10, 2020, asking him to ensure all workers at high-risk of exposure to coronavirus—including aviation workers—have access to personal protective equipment. You can read the full text of my letter here: https://sen.gov/feinstein/36NR.
I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as I continue working with my Senate colleagues to bolster federal funding to protect air travel employees and passengers during this historic public health emergency.
Once again, thank you for writing. Should you have any other questions or comments, please call my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841 or visit my website at feinstein.senate.gov. You can also follow me online at YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, and you can sign up for my email newsletter at feinstein.senate.gov/newsletter. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
