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After reducing headcount by thousands during the depths of the pandemic, the industry is grappling with shortages of pilots, flight attendants and customer service agents.
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Critics say the staff crunch is of the airline industry’s own making as the deep job cuts last year, despite an infusion of US$54 billion in federal aid to help cover payroll expenses, left it ill-equipped to handle the snapback in air travel.
Airlines have said the bailouts saved thousands of jobs, prevented bankruptcy and put them in a position to support the economy’s recovery from the pandemic.
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson said the company had no furloughs or job losses related to the pandemic. However, the company did have about 18,000 staff departures last year in the form of retirements or voluntary separations.