"(AP) Struggling airlines will receive $2.9 billion to ease the impact of war and terrorism under an agreement reached by congressional negotiators on Friday.
Of that, $2.4 billion would come as cash within 30 days, which would be especially helpful to major airlines that are heavily in debt and losing money. The relief package, which includes unemployment compensation for laid off workers, totals $3.2 billion.
Bush administration officials labeled $3 billion in relief as excessive. They said the airline industry already got $15 billion in federal help after the Sept. 11 attacks and market forces should determine which airlines survive."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in549005.shtml