US airlines begin to recall employees; await Covid-19 relief package

American Airlines and United Airlines said on Monday they were preparing to recall tens of thousands of furloughed employees as they awaited lawmakers’ approval of a fresh $15 billion in payroll support under a broader Covid-19 relief package.

But in a staff memo, United executives warned that it expects the recall will be “temporary” as travel demand remains depressed. The relief would cover employee payroll costs until March 31, 2021.

“The truth is, we just don’t see anything in the data that shows a huge difference in bookings over the next few months,” CEO Scott Kirby and President Brett Hart said in the memo, released by United.