British Airways and American Airlines in big trouble in the face of the health crisis

The aviation sector is one of the most heavily affected by the health crisis.

American Airlines, the largest airline in the world, had to lay off 19,000 employees.

REUTERS / Joshua Roberts

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2 min

The Covid -19 pandemic is putting airlines in great difficulty.

Despite state aid, many of them are reducing their costs and laying off staff to survive and get through the health crisis.

This Thursday, American Airlines and SouthWest as well as the IAG group, affected by the fall in sales of airline tickets, announced catastrophic results.

The aviation sector is one of the most heavily affected by the health crisis, due to travel restrictions imposed to combat the spread of the virus.

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The IAG group, parent company of

British Airways

and Iberia, saw its turnover plummet by 83% with a loss of 1.3 billion euros in the third quarter.

Just a year ago, the company posted a profit of 1.4 billion euros.

In this context, IAG is revising its outlook for the fourth quarter and foresees a flight capacity of only 30%.

Group management envisaged the departure of 13,000 employees; 7,200 have already left the group.

American companies have also seen their turnover decline.

American Airlines, the world's largest airline, lost $ 2.4 billion in the third quarter.

South West, the fourth largest airline in the United States, lost $ 1.2 billion.

In the absence of an agreement in the US Congress on new aid to the airline sector, American Airline had to lay off 19,000 employees, 20,000 employees decided to take early retirement or take unpaid leave.

Finally, the company reduced the number of its flights and its planes in service.

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To listen: International guest - United States: an aviation sector "in absolute disaster"

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  • Transport

  • Aeronautics

  • Employment and Work

  • Coronavirus

  • Economy

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