American Airlines will be closing three cities in this fall as a result of a pilot shortage in the airline industry. FOX Business, a Texas-based carrier, reported Monday that it will cease service in Islip, Ithaca, New York and Toledo, Ohio on Sept. 7.
American Airlines released a statement saying that they are grateful for the service and care provided by their team members to customers in Islip and Ithaca. They also work closely with them during this period.
“We are extremely grateful to the care and service that our team members gave our customers in Islip and Ithaca, and we will continue to work closely with them.”
American Airlines Statement 6/20/22
According to the carrier, it is actively reaching out to customers who have to travel after that date and offering alternative arrangements.
Major airlines are facing a “difficult” decision about cutting service at a time of high demand and pilot shortages.
FOX Business reported this month that 12,000 pilots are needed in the airline industry and that a majority of the country’s airports, approximately 303, offer fewer flights.
According to the Regional Airline Association (RAA), “there were 188 communities who lost at least 25% of the air service during the pandemic or the first half 2022 as the pilot shortage worsened.”
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci stated last month that the airline will be cancelling daily flights through June 1 because of a pilot shortage.
Minicucci stated in a note to customers that the carrier was experiencing operational difficulties since April because it didn’t have enough pilots to fly its spring schedule.
Minicucci stated that it has cancelled about 50 of its 1,200 daily flights.
JetBlue also stated earlier this year that it had to cut summer flights due to staffing problems.
United Airlines announced that it would begin its training program in 2022. United Airlines projected that the academy would train approximately 5,000 pilots by 2030, fulfilling half of its goal to recruit 10,000 pilots to counter the shortage.
