Sponsors described the legislation, which also provides relief to aviation insurers, as crucial to the health of the nation's transportation system.

The first specialist aviation insurers emerged in 1924.

A.I.G. is a major aviation insurer and owns an aircraft leasing company.

Congress Approves Airline Bailout Congress passed a $15 billion package to bail out the country's ailing airlines and provide relief to aviation insurers.

Aviation insurers resumed selling war and terrorism coverage to airlines around the world yesterday, four days after governments stepped in to provide temporary coverage to prevent a shutdown of flights worldwide.

With aviation insurers demanding big premium increases to continue providing liability coverage - without which planes might be grounded - the bill allows the federal government to reimburse air carriers for their higher insurance costs.