The Government Has Now Given Out CARES Act Grants To 287 U.S. 'Airlines'. There Aren't 287 Airlines! - View from the Wing

When the Treasury Department first reported on airline subsidy payouts under the CARES Act I was shocked to learn that 96 airlines were receiving payroll support grants. Who knew there were 96 airlines?

The Treasury Department wasn't done yet, and there were still a couple of billion dollars to hand out. This week they updated their report, and they've committed $24,157,445,417 out of an appropriated $25 billion in payroll support grants, and funds are going to 287 airlines. Who knew there were 287 airlines?

Some of the funds went to the cleverly-named Rite Bros Aviation, some to Eastern Airlines. Guardian Helicopters which doesn't even seem like an airline and it's not the only helicopter company that got money. There are sightseeing tour companies like Rust's Flight Service getting money, too.

$27 million went to Clay Lacy Aviation which charters private planes (and donates to the President). There's even $133,418 that just went to a guy named Jeffrey J. Carlin.

There's still $842.5 million in payroll support funds available at the Treasury. Applications have closed for the program, but perhaps if you have a plane it's worth an inquiry to PayrollSupportApplications@treasury.gov?

Matthew Lesko was right, after all, "the ones who know about the programs are the ones who get the money!"