The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES Act) was signed into law March 27.  The $2 trillion stimulus package includes up to $50 billion in funding for U.S. passenger airlines. The aid safeguards many airline employees’ paychecks through Sept. 30 and provides much needed liquidity for an industry that will be a critical to sparking an economic recovery once the coronavirus pandemic subsides. A forceful public outcry led to several restrictions in the CARES Act designed to prevent the passenger airlines from using money received under the act to boost stock prices or executive compensation.

These guardrails are a good start, but they do not go far enough. While the law requires that the airlines continue some service to remote locations, the CARES Act lacks much-needed protections for most consumers, such as guaranteeing fair pricing and reasonable flight availability when regular air travel resumes. It is up to the Department of Treasury and Department of Transportation to issue regulations that ensure passengers’ needs are met.