American Airlines starting 19,000 furloughs as bailout hopes fade

CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – American Airlines said it would begin furloughs of 19,000 workers on Thursday, and a large union said other carriers would follow, as hopes faded for a last-minute bailout from Washington.

American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker told employees in a letter seen by Reuters that he stood ready to reverse the furloughs if a deal was reached.

The carrier had more than 140,000 employees before the coronavirus pandemic. That number is expected to be below 100,000 in October, including voluntary and involuntary furloughs.

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants representing 50,000 workers at companies including United Airlines , said in a statement that other airlines were starting furloughs and were also ready to reverse course.