(CNN) Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut told top airline industry executives that they would need to reestablish trust with the public after "screwing" taxpayers by receiving a federal "bailout" only to then mislead consumers into taking vouchers or denying them refunds. "More than $25 billion in taxpayer money and now in effect you are continuing to mislead and deceive those taxpayers who have given you that bailout," said Blumenthal. "In effect, you are -- forgive me -- screwing the very taxpayers whose money is going into your pocket." Nicholas Calio, the head of Airlines for America, the trade and lobbying group representing the country's major airlines, responded that he did not think the airlines were currently misleading passengers. He added that "it ought to be clear" to some passengers receiving vouchers that they're entitled to a refund.

Source: CNN May 06, 2020 22:07 UTC