MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - American Airlines, who operates a hub out of Miami International Airport, will be grounding around half its fleet and grounding tens of thousands of flights in April due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, American Airlines said they will ground 450 of its aircraft, and they are grounding 55,000 flights.
“Yeah, I’m very concerned,” Michael Janetzke, a Chicago native, said. “Hopefully there’s some stimulus packages where they can put some money into the economy and help people pay bills and what not.”
The airline will be offering 13,500 employees the option for voluntary unpaid leave, which would allow them to keep their health benefits, the airline’s statement said.
American Airlines will also offer early retirement for those who have 15+ years of service at the company.
Sydnae Becton is a freshman at the University of Miami. She was at MIA on Thursday to catch an American Airlines flight home to Washington.
Like many other students, Becton has been forced to take online classes for the rest of the spring semester.
“Normally, people are all in the lines, and now, there’s like no one here. It’s crazy,” Becton said of the sparse crowds at the airport.
In another release sent out Thursday, American Airlines said many of its passenger aircraft are temporarily going to be converted into cargo-only aircraft, so the airline can try and make some money shipping cargo between the U.S. and Europe.
The tough times also show how some businesses are sticking together.
For example, Sedano’s Supermarket, Cafe Versailles and La Carreta are partnering to help employees during the pandemic.
“It makes me feel really amazing that there’s somebody thinking about them,” customer Wilson Villanova said.
Sedano’s plans to add up to 400 full-time and part-time positions helping the two restaurants that had to temporarily close their dining rooms. The restaurants are only allowed to offer delivery, take-out and walk-up window orders.
“I was surprised to hear that but happy at the same time that they will have a place to work instead of being home and not having the money to pay for their bills,” Villanova said.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez issued a statement Thursday night regarding American Airlines, writing in part, “This is a situation unlike any other, and it will likely get worse before it gets better. We need federal help to assist all employees affected by this crisis. I trust that, on the other side of this, pent up demand will help not only the airlines, but all businesses, make a strong comeback.”
The U.S. State Department has also issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which encourages Americans not to travel internationally.
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