France announces $16.9 billion in aid to aviation industry
PARIS -- France's government announced 15 billion euros ($16.9 billion) in rescue money on Tuesday for the pandemic-battered aerospace industry, including plane maker Airbus and national airline Air France.
The ministers of finance, transport, defense and environment unveiled the rescue plan for an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people in France, whose livelihoods have been thrown into uncertainty by travel restrictions prompted by the virus.
In exchange for the aid, companies will be required to invest more and faster in electric, hydrogen or other lower-emission aircraft, as France aims to make its aviation industry the 'œcleanest in the world.'
'œWe will do everything to support this French industry that is so critical for our sovereignty, our jobs and our economy,' Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said.
The money includes direct government investment, subsidies, loans and loan guarantees. It also includes a special fund jointly financed by the government, Airbus and other big manufacturers to support small suppliers.
It includes 7 billion euros in loans and loan guarantees that the government had already promised to Air France, whose planes were almost entirely grounded by the virus.
Source: https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200609/business/306099986/
