American Airlines Flight 718, the first commercial Boeing 737 MAX flight in the United States since regulators withdrew for 20 months in November, takes off from Miami, Florida, USA on December 29, 2020.
Marco Bello | Reuters
American Airlines plans to resume piloting this fall, the airline reported on Tuesday, as a rise in demand is forcing companies to rethink their future workforce.
The pandemic derailed airlines ’hiring plans in March last year as carriers struggled to cut cash to cut costs when travel demand fell. Last week, the American said it plans to fly more than 90% of its 2019 national schedule this summer.
Bookings have since recovered, led by tourists flying to the United States, airlines have recently reported.
United Airlines also plans to restart piloting next month, while low-cost Spirit Airlines began training for new pilots in March. JetBlue Airways also plans to start hiring pilots later this year.
The U.S. plans to start hiring 300 new pilots by the end of the year and plans to double that number by 2022, said Chip Long, U.S. vice president of flight operations, in a staff note, which was seen by CNBC.
The Fort Worth-based company has about 15,000 pilots, though hundreds have retired early or are expected to stop flying in the next few years when they turn 65, the federal government-mandated retirement age for pilots. of airlines.
International business and long-haul demand remains weak as travel restrictions persist and large network companies continue to lose money. United on Monday reported a $ 1.4 billion loss in the first quarter on Monday, while Delta Air Lines last week said it lost about $ 1.2 billion in the first three months of the year.
American will detail its demand and hiring prospects when it reports quarterly results Thursday before the market opens.