American Airlines To Axe 7,000 More Jobs As Industry Reels

New York Times:

American Airlines expects to cut nearly 7,000 employees by the end of the year, or about 8 percent of its worldwide work force, as it reduces flights and grounds aircraft because of high fuel prices, the airline told employees Wednesday.

The job cuts, which appear to be twice as big as those announced so far by any other carrier, could include as many as 900 flight attendants.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants said Wednesday that it had received notice from American of its intent to lay off union members with the least seniority. The exact number of flight attendant job cuts will depend on how many older workers agree to take voluntary retirement packages, the airline told the union.

In an e-mail memo to employees, Jeffrey J. Brundage, American's senior vice president for human resources, said American expected its job reductions to mirror the 8 percent reduction in worldwide flights that the airline plans by the end of the year.

American announced in May that it would cut flights within the United States by 11 to 12 percent, and overall flights by about 8 percent.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[Cathexis]

It seems inconceivable to me that, faced with financial problems caused by FUEL COSTS they wouldn't just raise fares (since there are no cheap fuel alternatives). Cutting support personnel merely further compromises service (already no great shakes) and does little or nothing to alleviate the actual problem. Instead, it will just cause more disgruntlement among customers and reduce revenue as fewer people are willing to put up with it.

A self-destructive, self-reinforcing circle.

[MajorKong]

American still has 1,979 pilots on furlough from the LAST downturn.

[MemphisBuffalo]

The industry is moving out of the transport for the masses market. By this time next year the industry will be less than half what it is now. Just a few companies and a few flights.

[MajorKong]

In a few years I predict it will just be Southwest flying the domestic routes and some merger of the legacy carriers (DAL, NWA, UAL, AMA) flying overseas.

[darthdarcy]

We need to Nationalize our Airline Industry it's that simple...!

[gevan]

Seams like there are now 7,000 more warm bodies for the surge.

[marignymitch]

The word is 'ax', HuffPost editors.

[ibsteve2u]

Who axed you?

(I'm kidding, I kidding...­8^)