Airlines warn of pilot shortage at Christmas due to covid-19 vaccine mandate

Pilots of two of the largest airlines in the country warn that the mandate to be vaccinated against the coronavirus it could cause a severe shortage of pilots during the critical Christmas flying season.

The Allied Pilots Association, which represents 15,000 pilots from American Airlines, the Fort Worth airline, sent a letter to the White House and Congress on Friday warning that airlines could implement “massive layoffs of unvaccinated pilots.” whether the White House proceeds with its plan to require the vaccine from federal government contractors and companies with more than 100 employees.

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“In order to maintain the viability of commercial aviation by preventing airlines from being forced to offer unpaid breaks or, worse still, implement massive layoffs of unvaccinated pilots, it is essential that an alternative route is made available so that professional pilots can comply with the executive order, ”reads the letter from Allied Pilots Association President Eric Ferguson.

The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association issued a similar warning Monday.

The union’s unions have warned that some pilots could retire early or take long breaks to avoid vaccinations.

Representatives from both unions indicated that a large number of pilots are probably not vaccinated.

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Both airlines have given incentives to pilots and other employees to get vaccinated with free vacation days and salary bonuses; but neither of them has demanded to be vaccinated.

Chicago airline United Airlines is requiring its employees to be vaccinated and has said that this has achieved a vaccination rate of 97%.

“We are also concerned that the planned 60-day implementation period of the mandatory vaccination executive order could lead to a worker shortage and create serious operational problems for Southwest Airlines and its peers,” reads a statement from the union representing 8,500 Southwest pilots from Dallas.

All the major airlines in the country experienced a strong lack of workers during the summer when trying to meet the surge in demand for flights after a long decline since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines like American and Southwest have cut their flight schedules this fall to ensure they have enough employees to cover all scheduled flights.

But the holiday season is often in high demand for flights, and nearly all employees – pilots, hostesses, baggage processors and gate agents – are expected to be ready for work.

“We are also concerned that the planned 60-day implementation period of the mandatory vaccination executive order could lead to a worker shortage and create serious operational problems for American Airlines and its peers,” says the letter from Allied Pilots.

“Airlines generate a substantial portion of their annual revenue during the year-end holiday period, when large numbers of travelers depend on us to get to their destinations. Our country’s airlines, and the traveling public, cannot afford significant service interruptions due to a worker shortage, ”the letter says.

Pilots are concerned that their long-term ability to fly is at risk due to potential side effects from coronavirus vaccines, something that is medically unproven.

People with a variety of conditions are prohibited or limited from obtaining a flight license to work with commercial airlines.

“Some SWAPA members cannot be vaccinated for documented medical reasons, while others are reluctant to get vaccinated for fear of potential career-ending side effects,” the Southwest Pilots Union said in its statement.

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