American Airlines Group Inc. said it would shed 19,000 workers Oct. 1 as the airline prepares to downsize to cope with weak demand for travel amid the coronavirus pandemic that isn’t expected to rebound for years.
American’s cuts—which together with retirements and temporary leaves of absence will make the carrier about 30% smaller than it was in March—are the clearest sign yet of the devastation coming for the airline industry as the summer travel season winds down and government funds run out.
