Toledo Among Cities to be Dropped by American Airlines

Citing a shortage of pilots, American Airlines, the U.S.’s largest domestic air-carrier, is dropping three airports from its schedule.

Starting 07 September 2022, the company will cut scheduled service to Toledo, OH, as well as both Ithaca and Islip NY. All three airports are, for the time being, served by American’s regional subsidiaries which—like all regional carriers—have been hard hit by the ongoing, nation-wide pilot shortage.

American Airlines is the only commercial carrier that provides service to Toledo. Ergo, subsequent 07 September, the city’s 270,000-plus residents will be effectively without scheduled airline service. 

In a statement certain to mollify Toledoans, American Airlines spokeswoman Andrea Koos said, “In response to the regional pilot shortage affecting the airline industry, American Airlines has made the difficult decision to end service. We’re extremely grateful for the care and service our team members provided to our customers in Islip, Ithaca and Toledo, and are working closely with them during this time.” 

Koos made no mention of work—close or otherwise—to restore air-service to Ohio’s fourth most populous city; she did, however, state that American Airlines is contacting customers scheduled to fly to the forsaken cities after 07 September to make alternate travel plans.

Air-Carriers are facing a severe shortage of pilots due to staffing cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Robust, post-COVID demand from living travelers has forced airlines to ramp-up their schedules while contemporaneously endeavoring to hire and train pilots to replace those laid-off, or forced into early retirement. 

FMI: https://www.visittoledo.org, www.american.com