American Airlines issues layoff warnings to over 11,000 staff
American Airlines, which has been plagued in the past weeks by a rash of flight cancellations and possible “sick-outs” by pilots who are still in contract negotiations, has sent layoff warning notices to more than 11,000 employees, AP reports.
The layoff warnings are mandated by Federal Law, although the airline says the actual number of staff that will be laid off will be closer to 4,000. The warnings are given to any staffer whose job may change.
Meanwhile, business experts in the US are telling travellers to think twice before booking on American Airlines.
NBC News’ Overhead Bin site quotes the Wall Street Journal’s Scott McCartney as telling the traveling public to sidestep American “because the operation is in shambles”.
American has stated that it will be cutting its flight schedule by about 2% in September and October due to “a number of factors”.
“The schedule adjustments we are implementing will ensure we provide our customers with reliable service while minimising any impact to their travel plans,” airline spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said in a written statement.
by Gretchen Kelly, Editor TravelMole US
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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