- 1. The ranks of pilots at most airlines thinned at the start of the pandemic.
- 2. Lack of staff forces airlines to cancel flights.
- 3. Carriers are trying to recruit staff as quickly as possible, but this is a laborious process.
It’s been a tough summer for air travelers in the US
There have been thousands of flight delays and cancellations over many days, and it takes longer for airlines to get their operations back on schedule when something goes wrong.
The lack of pilots, although not the only reason, is an important factor. Airlines cut staff when flight demand plummeted at the start of the pandemic, and they are now struggling to bounce back as people start traveling again at pre-COVID frequency.
