American Airlines glitch leaves 15,000 Christmas flights without a captain

© Khunaspix Dreamstime.

Capacity issues abound: demand outstripping supply; striking handling agents; slot scarcity at key European gateways; and now American Airlines has added some incompetency to proceedings. A scheduling glitch at the US carrier approved holiday for ALL its pilots during Christmas week.

Although AA is keeping tight-lipped on how many flights would be affected, The Guardian says the pilots’ union informed the carrier somewhere in the region of 15,000 flights were scheduled without a captain. The news has understandably left the cargo community on edge. Some forwarders have said this has only increased their worries over availability of capacity during the Christmas peak.