Southwest & American Airlines Warn of Layoffs as Both are Overstaffed Tens of Thousands of Workers

Dallas-Fort Worth (WBAP/KLIF) – American and Southwest airlines both say they’re overstaffed by tens of thousands of workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Fort Worth-based American Airlines has put union leaders on notice that job cuts and furloughs could happen this fall; over 20,000 workers could be impacted.

Meantime, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly told employees Monday that if passenger traffic doesn’t triple by the end of the year, it will be forced to make cuts as well. The airline is also looking at some 20,000 more workers than they need right now.

Thousands of workers at both airlines have already taken voluntary leave or buyouts.

Meantime, federal law requires big corporations of 100 workers or more to give employees 60 days notice before closings or mass layoffs.