The White House may not be able to prevent Congress from approving more than $3 billion in airline aid, but the Bush administration prefers that any package be structured so it can be dispersed quickly. Indeed, it took a long time after 11 September 2001 to get aid to the airlines.
Most major carriers did not take advantage of the loan program, but all of them wanted cash reimbursements for losses related to the attacks on New York and Washington. Amounts have varied from $774 million for United Airlines to under $1,000 for a tiny aviation firm.
The new separate aid plans would suspend certain fees for aviation security for the next six months. The government would pay the carriers between $900 million and $1.1 billion.
Bush prefers simple airline aid plan
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