Thousands of minority-owned small businesses were at the end of the line in the government’s coronavirus relief program as many struggled to find banks that would accept their applications or were disadvantaged by the terms of the program. Data from the Paycheck Protection Program analyzed by The Associated Press show that many minority owners desperate for a relief loan didn’t receive one until the PPP’s last few weeks while many more white business owners were able to get loans earlier in the program. The program handed out 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion.
More than two decades of growth in airline passenger traffic were erased in 2020. Travel data company Cirium says traffic dropped to levels last seen in 1999. Passenger traffic tumbled 67% from a year ago. More than 40 airlines completely ceased or suspended operationos. The world’s busiest airports were dominated by airports in the U.S. and China. The busiest were Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Charlotte.
