American Airlines announced its intention to slash 13,000 jobs from its current workforce of 88,000, making it the third-largest airline in the nation. The bulk of the cuts, totaling 4,600, will be concentrated in the airline’s maintenance operations, with an additional 4,000 ground worker positions and 2,300 flight attendant roles set to be eliminated.
In a letter addressed to American employees, CEO Thomas Horton, who heads American Air’s parent company, AMR Corp., stated, “We will end this journey with many fewer people. But we will also preserve tens of thousands of jobs that would have been lost if we had not embarked on this path.”
Management roles will see a reduction of 1,400 employees, with pilots facing the smallest cut at 400 positions. Negotiations between the airline and its unions will now take place to discuss the company’s cost-cutting plans. However, if concessions cannot be reached through negotiation, management retains the option to seek court-imposed changes through bankruptcy proceedings.
Horton did not specify the timeline for implementing the layoffs but emphasized the need for swift changes amidst existing uncertainties. Union officials expressed reluctance to accept the company’s proposals, with Laura Glading, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, describing the plans as “despicable.”
The company aims to achieve annual savings of over $1.25 billion in labor costs, necessitating a 20% reduction in costs across all work groups, including management. To mitigate the impact, American Airlines is offering employees a profit-sharing plan and intends to continue providing annual pay increases.
The airline also revealed plans to shift its underfunded pension plans to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., a government agency, as part of cost-cutting measures. However, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. voiced opposition to this move, citing the airline’s estimated $10 billion underfunded pensions and the need for exploring alternatives.
Additional savings will come from restructuring debt and leases, retiring older planes, and optimizing supplier contracts. AMR Corp. aims for total cost cuts of $2 billion annually and is seeking an additional $1 billion per year in improved revenue through better aircraft utilization and enhanced product offerings.
While suggestions of hub closures, carrier breakup, or mergers with other airlines have circulated, Horton maintained that such outcomes would not be in the best interests of American, its stakeholders, or its employees. The company is currently in discussions with the major unions representing its workers to navigate through these significant changes.