NEW YORK – Hit with a collapse in demand, US airlines will end the year with the lowest number of workers since at least 1987 – 90,000 fewer than when Covid-19 hit, said an industry federation yesterday.
Airlines for America said the number of full-time equivalent positions will drop to 370,000 at the end of next month from 460,000 in March, a decline of nearly 20%.
As coronavirus cases explode, approaching the worst days of the pandemic, authorities have stepped up restrictions.
The number of passengers carried in the US in recent weeks has remained 65% lower than the same period last year, said the group.
Airlines initially cut staff through early retirement and voluntary furloughs.
The companies earlier pledged to hold off on any lay-offs until September 30, in exchange for US$25 billion (RM103.3 billion) in aid.
But after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a new stimulus package to extend the support, United Airlines and American Airlines laid off 32,000 workers last month.
In addition, four smaller US carriers shut down, said Airlines for America in its study of the pandemic’s impact on the industry, which also showed that a quarter of aircraft have been grounded for at least 30 days. – AFP, November 13, 2020
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