The major airlines reaffirmed their confidence this week that the travel market, at least for the leisure sector, is recovering from the heavy losses suffered during the the coronavirus pandemic. Executives hope the trend will continue into the summer vacation.
The comments came when Southwest Airlines Co. reported Thursday that state aid has helped posted $ 116 million in profit for the first quarter, the first quarterly profit since the pandemic decimated travel demand and turned the aviation industry upside down. American Airlines Group Inc. posted a loss of $ 1.25 billion on revenue of $ 4 billion, a smaller loss than in the previous quarters of last year.
“We believe the worst is finally behind us,” said Southwest boss Gary Kelly. “I’m relieved, I’m optimistic, I’m excited, I’m grateful.”
The industry is on a faster path to recovery than some executives thought possible in January, when Covid-19 cases soared and the airline’s outlook looked bleak. Travel demand is reaching a turning point in February or March, executives said after languishing for most of the past year. The airports were busy with spring break travelers and future vacation bookings increased.
Southwest, American and other airlines are recalling pilots and flight attendants who have not been needed in months and preparing for it could be a hectic summer of vacations and family visits that travelers postponed during the pandemic. American plans to hire 300 additional pilots by the end of the year.
