The Great Shrink: Pink slips flying at airline workers means painful autumn ahead

Without additional support from the U.S. Congress, it’s going to be an ugly fall for anyone at airlines.

AirInsight analyst Addison Schonland calls what is about to happen “The Great Shrink of 2020,” adding: “The next half of the year is going to be painful.”

The first round of $25 billion worth of government coronavirus pandemic bailout cash for airlines runs out Sept. 30, allowing rivals Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines to start resizing workforces Oct. 1 for much smaller flight networks.

A Business Journal survey found 72,435 U.S. airline workers are facing layoffs or furloughs in Seattle and elsewhere as the airlines try to match revenues and expenses. Another 34,900 are taking buyouts.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/08/14/airlines-warn-notices-layoffs-covid-19-pandemic.html