American Airlines cancels hundreds of flights due to staff shortage – Telemundo Miami (51)

American Airlines canceled over 1,000 Since Friday due to staff shortages and high winds at its operations center in Fort Worth, Texas.

On Saturday alone, the airline canceled nearly 460 flights, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

American Airlines is expected to cancel about 280 more flights on Sunday.

At Miami International Airport, at least 20 flights were canceled and another 30 were delayed, causing inconvenience to waiting passengers or family members.

But American Airlines isn’t the only airline in trouble. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines also cut 86 flights, or 2% of its operations.

In early October, Southwest canceled more than 2,000 flights that cost more than $75 million.

Customers hit hardest at airports in Florida, Denver, Baltimore and Chicago.

It will take weeks to stabilize

American Airlines chief operating officer David Seymour said the problems started with strong winds that began Thursday and reduced operating capacity at its hub at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

But the unavailability of pilots and flight attendants was the main reason for most cancellations this weekend.

This has led to a large number of complaints from affected customers.

Seymour said he expected the airline’s operations to stabilize in November.

American Airlines is one of the airlines that has been understaffed since travel demand picked up in late spring.

The airline is rehiring staff after reducing its workforce due to the coronavirus pandemic. Starting November 1, 1,800 flight attendants will join in and the rest in December to prepare for the winter holiday season.