American Airlines: Only a ‘few hundred’ flights without pilot cover
American Airlines says its pilots have been ‘stepping up to the plate’ to help it resolve its roster problems over the Christmas holidays.
Unions had warned of flight disruption after the airline mistakenly allowed too many pilots to take leave around that time.
The Allied Pilots Association said around 15,000 flights would be affected.
But American Airlines has since issued a statement saying: "Out of the 200,000 flights American will operate in December, only a few hundred are currently unassigned to pilots.
"That number of open flights continues to decrease thanks to our pilots who are stepping up to the plate and picking up trips to ensure customers are taken care of.
"It’s another example of why we are thankful to have such an incredible team."
The airline said it also has more reserve pilots on hand in December than normal months ‘and they provide us with the ability to fly many of the trips that are currently uncovered’.
At present no December flights have been canceled.
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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