American Airlines sees an uptick in sales after experiencing record low numbers during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
The Texas-based airline lost over $8.9 billion last year due to travel restrictions that were in place during the onset of the coronavirus outbreak. Luckily, American Airlines’ net bookings now stand at ninety percent of the company’s pre-pandemic 2019 average. Eighty percent of seats onboard flights are being filled.
“Due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order to require a negative COVID-19 test for entry into the U.S. at the beginning of 2021, the Company experienced softness in its bookings at the beginning of the first quarter,” American Airlines stated.
In May 2020, U.S. airline companies operated the lowest number of domestic flights ever recorded, according to a report conducted by the Department of Transportation. American Airlines was just one airline to received funds from the CARES ACT to stay afloat. The company received $5.8 billion in aid.
Many airlines are experiencing the much-needed boost as many Americans receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened 1.57 billion travelers on Sunday. This was the highest number since March 2020, Reuters reports.
