American Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights due to several factors including maintenance, staffing shortages and employees out sick. Around 300 flights were cancelled during the weekend with more expected today, Monday, June 21, 2021. The airline said it may continue to adjust the schedules and cancel dozens of flights throughout the summer.
American released a statement saying: “We made targeted changes with the goal of impacting the fewest number of customers by adjusting flights in markets where we have multiple options for re-accommodation.”
A surge in travel amid COVID vaccination success has together led to similar dilemmas for most airlines. After offering incentive packages for employees to retire early and many taking the early out as well as layoffs and furloughs, it is taking some time to adjust the staffing needs of the return of travelers.
Southwest Airlines also cancelled numerous flights after experiencing network connectivity problems earlier this month. The airlines attributed their cancellations to the ripple effect of that event.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is also reporting staffing shortages and asking some current employees to volunteer for positions such as onboarding new employees.