Surge in US Tourists... Delta to Hire 1,000 Additional Pilots

Surpassing 2.1 Million... Largest Since Pandemic
Low-Cost Airlines and Transportation Safety Authority Also Hiring

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The number of air travelers in the United States has reached its highest level since the pandemic. This is due to a significant increase in Americans traveling as COVID-19 vaccinations have expanded.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on the 21st (local time) that the number of travelers passing through airport security checkpoints nationwide reached 2,100,761 on that day. The daily air traveler count of over 2.1 million is the highest since early March last year, when the COVID-19 crisis began. However, it still falls short of the approximately 2.7 million travelers at this time in 2019, before the pandemic.

Airlines are struggling to handle the influx of passengers. Due to labor shortages, they are temporarily reducing flights while planning large-scale recruitment in the long term.

Delta Air Lines announced to CNBC on the same day that it will hire an additional 1,000 pilots by next summer. Delta had also stated in April that it was beginning to overcome the pandemic slump and would resume new hiring starting with 75 pilots between June and August.

CNBC reported, "Not only American Airlines and United Airlines but also low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines and JetBlue have already resumed hiring or plan to start within this year."

Until October last year, major U.S. airlines were pleading with the government for wage subsidies due to lack of funds for salaries and had announced large-scale layoffs. However, the situation reversed as vaccination expanded and bookings surged due to holiday demand.

Currently, due to shortages of pilots and flight attendants, flights are being reduced, and related companies providing in-flight meals, wheelchairs, refueling, and other services are also short-staffed, causing disruptions in airline service. Delta canceled hundreds of flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year due to pilot shortages. American Airlines also canceled 6% of its total flights the day before.

TSA is also facing deep concerns. Earlier, TSA announced plans to hire 6,000 additional employees by September, but half of those positions remain vacant. According to global aviation media Simple Flying and CNN, TSA recently has been offering new hires a $1,000 bonus. They are converting part-time workers to full-time and actively providing various incentives such as overtime pay.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.