American Airlines' mechanics unions have urged the Federal Aviation Administration to assign additional inspectors to the carrier, saying a recent court order potentially threatens the safety of American's operation. The FAA confirms it is more closely watching American due to its dispute with the TWU-IAM Association, which represents the carrier's mechanics and other ground service employees. "The FAA increases its oversight anytime there is tension between labour and management," the agency said. The FAA did not say it had assigned additional inspectors to review American and deferred further comment to the carrier. American did not respond immediately to requests for comment. The TWU-IAM Association, a group that represents American's two mechanics and ground service employee unions, requested additional inspectors in a 15 July letter to FAA associate administrator for air safety Ali Bahrami. TWU-IAM says more oversight of American is needed due to a federal court order that essentially directs the unions to ensure their members achieve "productivity levels equal to" those achieved in summer 2018. That requirement could threaten safety, the group says.<br/>