American Airlines begins return of workers after payroll relief

American Airlines is beginning the phased return of furloughed workers after the U.S. Congress passed a pandemic aid package with $15b in payroll support for airlines, its executives said in a staff memo Tuesday. “While pay and benefits will be restored right away, people will be asked to return to the operation in phases,” CE Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said in the memo, released by American. Air passenger traffic is down by about 70% versus a year ago. United Airlines executives warned on Monday that its recall of furloughed employees after the fresh aid would be “temporary,” saying “we just don’t see anything in the data that shows a huge difference in bookings over the next few months.” American said the relief would help airlines serve passengers once the pandemic subsides, and in the nearer term, aid in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and other critical supplies. American, which has furloughed nearly 19,000 employees since October, stands to receive roughly $3b from the payroll package, one person briefed on the matter said.<br/>