As COVID-19 Vaccinations Increase, US Aviation Industry Prepares for Summer Peak Season

American Airlines, the Largest U.S. Airline, Prepares to Restore Domestic Flight Schedule to 90% of Pre-COVID-19 Levels

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] American Airlines, the largest airline in the United States, will begin normalizing its flight schedules focusing on domestic routes starting this summer peak season. This decision is based on the expectation that travel demand will increase as COVID-19 vaccinations spread.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 14th (local time), American Airlines plans to operate more than 90% of the seats on U.S. routes compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than 80% on international routes during this summer peak season.

To this end, American Airlines has already increased the number of flights on routes including the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

American Airlines stated, "We are preparing to restore summer flight schedules to normal levels."

Earlier, major U.S. airlines including American Airlines drastically reduced the number of flights as air travel demand plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, their financial performance also took a severe hit.

American Airlines recorded a loss of $8.9 billion (approximately 9.93 trillion KRW) last year.

Other airlines also anticipate a revival in travel demand as the number of vaccinated individuals increases, and have begun adjusting their flight schedules in preparation for the peak season.

Low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines added eight new routes ahead of the summer vacation season.

United Airlines became the first major airline to resume pilot hiring since the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Airlines reported that over 40% of flights departing from Chicago O'Hare International Airport are operating with passenger loads exceeding 90% of capacity.

Low-cost carrier Allegiant Travel also announced that its average daily bookings in March were higher than those in March 2019.

However, WSJ pointed out that despite the expansion of vaccinations, the possibility of reinfections due to variant viruses could pose an obstacle to the normalization of flight schedules.