More American Airlines Flights Canceled Amid Staffing Shortage
BOSTON (CBS) – Labor shortages impacting American Airlines are being felt locally at Logan Airport.
"I was supposed to go on the later one, they moved me up a couple of hours no big deal," said Mike Phineas of Texas.
At least one flight was canceled Monday. Over the last few days, the airline has scrapped hundreds of flights nationwide.
American Airlines expects to cancel about 72 flights each day until mid-July.
The airline is blaming, the spike in summer travel, bad weather and staffing. The airline's caterer can't find qualified drivers.
An American Airlines spokesperson says: "We never want to disappoint and feel these schedule adjustments will help ensure we can take good care of our customers and team members and minimize surprises at the airport."
CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg said, "They didn't bring the pilots back earlier enough. The logjam started and it basically escalated."
Greenberg says American Airlines put all its planes back online and added all sorts of routes, but still needs to re-qualify pilots that fly a certain aircraft — the 737.
"This is probably going to go on for another 20-30 days and there are not many alternatives if you're booked on an American Airlines 737," said Greenberg.
Greenberg says staffing issues are impacting all aspects of the travel industry.
