U.S. airlines are slowing hiring rates after rapidly enlisting new employees in the wake of the Covid-19 downturn. In a remarkable employment upswing post-Covid, the industry added approximately 194,000 workers to support the resurgence of passenger travel.
However, with the spike in new Delta variant cases, the sudden burst of travel demand started to falter, leading airlines to reassess their staffing strategies. Also, several job openings in the industry were driven by a rush of retirements and voluntary leave programs during the pandemic, the demand which has now largely been met.
Another factor influencing this cooling phase could be related to seasonal adjustments as airlines typically hire less in the fall and winter months. Despite the slowdown, the overall employment scenario in the airlines industry is much brighter than during pandemic times, and it is hoped to stabilize as the situation with the pandemic improves.
