By David Shepardson and Tracy Rucinski
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The head of a group representing major U.S. passenger airlines and a senior union official will make the case Tuesday to lawmakers for a third round of government assistance, according to testimony seen by Reuters.
Since March 2020, Congress has awarded passenger and cargo airlines, airports and contractors nearly $90 billion in government assistance and low-cost loans, including two prior rounds of payroll assistance for U.S. passenger airlines totaling $40 billion.
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package approved by the U.S. House last week includes another $14 billion for passenger airlines to keep workers on payrolls for an additional six months. It awaits action by the U.S. Senate.
Nick Calio, who heads Airlines for America, a trade group representing American Airlines, Delta Air Lines,…