American Airlines proposes to raise pilot wages by 17% in the face of shortages

American Airlines is offering about 17% pilot salary increases by the end of 2024. This is a shortage of personnel that airlines have plagued the industry.

CEO Robert Isom said Thursday that the proposal would raise American pilot wages to the levels detailed in the interim agreement between United Airlines and its pilots. In a video sent to the pilot, Isom said airline workers "no matter what, they will get a high salary and a competitive salary." According to

Isom, the Boeing 737 captain at the top of the proposed wage table will earn a base salary of approximately $ 340,000 a year by the end of 2024. Senior captains of large aircraft such as the Boeing 777 will earn about $ 425,000 a year. He said the company is also offering premiums for reassignments, better profit sharing programs and other add-ons.

Fort Worth, Texas-based Americans lost $ 2 billion last year, but travel continues to recover from the worst. As a result, revenue is increasing in 2022. Pandemic.

The United Pilot Association, which represents the airline's approximately 13,000 pilots, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press.

A union spokesmantold CNBClast week that Americans are "trying to fly without a pilot." The allegations urged lawmakers, including Democrat Ro Khannaand independent senator BernieSanders, to demand high fines from airlines scheduling flights that cannot be staffed. I did.

Americans recently canceled flights to four cities: Iowa, Ohio, and New York due to a shortage ofregional pilots.

Other airlines in negotiations

United pilots, who currently earn more than American pilots, will be about by July 15th, 2024. You are voting for a deal that will result in a 14% salary increase. ..

Delta, Southwest and Alaska pilots are in talks about a new contract. They picketedat the airportOn the other hand, they complain that understaffing has caused them to fly too many flights and risk fatigue.

This news is ahead of the expected weekend vacation tripbusiestsince the pandemic began. Delta warns of"operational challenges"on the weekend of July 4th, preemptively offering free rebooking to passengers flying at that time. did. The airline and the Federal Aviation Administration have blamed each other for the shortage of personnel leading to cancellations and delays.

CBS News' Khristopher Brooks and Peter Greenberg contributed to the report.