American Airlines Says Workforce Will Be 40,000 Smaller in October Without Aid

A member of a ground crew walks past American Airlines planes parked at the gate during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Wash., on April 5, 2020. Joshua Roberts via Reuter

CHICAGO—American Airlines said on Tuesday its workforce will shrink by 40,000, including 19,000 involuntary cuts, in October as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weigh on air travel, unless the government extends aid for airline employee payrolls.