American Cutting Service to Several Communities

Approximately two dozen small- and medium-sized cities are likely to lose service by American Airlines at the end of September as federal requirements associated with the $25 billion airline bailout expire.  As part of the bailout package, airlines are required to maintain minimum levels of service and cannot lay off employees until October 1. 

While airline executives and labor unions have pressed for a second bailout package, lawmakers on Capitol Hill did not reach a deal on the pandemic-related assistance legislation before the August recess.  In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation was supposed to inform airlines by August 1 if it planned to extend minimum service requirements.  No action was taken on that measure.

American Airlines did not name the more than 20 cities that are being targeted for the loss of service.  United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have not said whether they would enact similar service cuts.