American Airlines Plans 19,000 Job Cuts When Federal Aid Runs Out

A member of a ground crew walks past American Airlines planes parked at the gate during the CCP virus outbreak at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, on April 5, 2020.Joshua Roberts/Reuters

American Airlines announced on Tuesday that when pandemic aid to airlines expires in October, the company plans to slash 19,000 jobs.

Breaking the somber news in a letter to employees, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said, “[t]oday is the hardest message we have had to share so far—the announcement of involuntary staffing reductions.”