U.S. proposes minimum flight service rules for airlines receiving government assistance

The U.S. Transportation Department on Tuesday proposed minimum flight requirements for passenger airlines receiving aid from the government’s $50 billion grant and loan fund.

The department said air carriers that fly between cities five days a week or more would need to provide at least one flight per day five times a week between the points.

For those with fewer than one a day five times a week, they would only need to fly once per week. For cities where there are multiple airports, carriers could consolidate operations at a single airport.

The department said airlines could seek waivers for specific flights saying that “even with these reduced service levels, it may not be practicable for covered carriers to serve all points previously served.”

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