American Airlines COO calls flight cancellations 'simply unacceptable' in memo to employees: 'Everyone deserves better'

Core Insights - The COO of American Airlines highlighted the severe impact of recent flight cancellations due to the ongoing government shutdown, which is now the longest in US history [1][2] Group 1: Flight Operations and Impact - The weekend saw nearly 1,400 flight cancellations and over 57,000 delay minutes attributed to air traffic control, affecting approximately 250,000 customers [2] - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated airlines to reduce flight operations by up to 10% at 40 major airports nationwide by November 14, increasing from an initial 4% reduction [4] Group 2: Government Shutdown and Negotiations - The COO expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation, stating that air traffic controllers deserve to be paid and that airlines need to operate with predictability and dependability [3] - Ongoing discussions with government leaders are aimed at reaching a deal to end the shutdown, with some progress reported, but challenges remain ahead [3] Group 3: Broader Industry Concerns - Transportation Secretary indicated that a significant number of Americans will have their Thanksgiving travel plans affected if the shutdown continues [8] - Air traffic controllers are increasingly calling in sick after more than 40 days without pay, leading to operational challenges for airlines [4][9]