American Airlines announced it is furloughing hundreds of employees in Philadelphia, part of 19,000 nation, reports Corey Davis for 6abc.com.

When CARES Act money ran out at midnight Oct. 1, and with no new federal relief package in sight, American Airlines had no other option.

The pandemic has hit the airline industry hard, with air travel down nearly 70 percent from 2019.

American Airlines has a major hub at Philadelphia International Airport, employing flight attendants,  ground crews, supervisors, among others.

More than 10,000 American Airlines employees come out of Philadelphia.

The airline brought 25 million passengers to Philadelphia’s doorstep last year and generated $115 billion in revenue for the city.

“As a result of the coronavirus, our industry and our airline have faced unimaginable challenges along with an unprecedented 95% drop in demand,” said Jim Moses, American Airlines Vice President of Northeast Hubs & Gateways.

There will be 50 percent reductions in flights through the fourth quarter because of the furloughs, even as domestic travel demand has begun to stabilize.

Even so, passenger numbers are far below where they should be, according to Moses.

United Airlines also plans to furlough 13,000 employees nationwide.

Read more about the American Airlines layoffs here.

You Might Also Like                            

June Saw 330 Flight Cancellations in Philly for American Airlines

2019 Saw a Record-Breaking Number of Passengers at Philadelphia International Airport

They’re Landing Here Again: International Flights Return to Philadelphia