The airline announced that a shortage of pilots prompted American Airlines to end its services beginning in September to some airports in Iowa, New York and Ohio.
Services, according to the company’s statement to NBC News on Wednesday, will stop September 7 at Dubuque Regional Airport in Iowa; Long Island MacArthur Airport and Ithaca Tompkins International Airport in New York; and Eugene F Crans Toledo Express Airport in Ohio.
The “regional pilot shortage affecting the aviation industry” was cited in a statement by American Airlines as the reason for the “difficult decision” to cut ties with the four airports.
“We are extremely grateful for the care and service our team members have provided to our customers in Dubuque, Islip, Ithaca and Toledo, and are working closely with them during this time. We will proactively reach out to customers scheduled to travel after this date to provide alternative arrangements,” the airline’s statement said.
The airline said American Airlines flies twice a day from the four affected airports.
In a statement issued by the Lucas Toledo County Port Authority on behalf of Toledo Airport, the agency said:
“We are very disappointed to learn of American Airlines’ decision to cancel service to Chicago O’Hare International (ORD) from Eugene F Crans Toledo Express (TOL) starting September 7, 2022. Please note that this decision was made solely by the airline. , primarily due to the lack of regional pilots. Unfortunately, we understand that this is the current ongoing trend in the aviation industry. The Port Authority continues to meet with several airline representatives several times a year in an effort to increase our air services outside of TOL.”
A MacArthur Airport spokesperson said in a statement that officials hope to one day resume the partnership with American Airlines and “Hopefully, this service adjustment won’t be permanent.”
Actors with two of the other The affected airports were not immediately reached on Wednesday for comment.
Over 1,300 pilots from Southwest Airlines He stood in a picket line Tuesday in Dallas, expressing concerns about what they say are unfair working conditions and inappropriate pay, according to the pilots’ union.
“Pilots in Southwest have been in contract negotiations with the company for more than two years with no meaningful movement toward a new contract,” the union said in a statement to NBC News, adding that “pilot fatigue rates are at an all-time high.”
Pilots from across the commercial airline industry have drawn attention to the chronic staff shortages that have forced airlines to do so Flight delays or cancellations.
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