American Airlines is reducing flight attendant training during the next week at its Fort Worth headquarters after two trainers tested positive for COVID-19.
The airline said it will hold only "operationally necessary training" and "classes will be led by trainers who have not been at the training and conference center recently." American plans to resume its full training schedule after Nov. 3.
"The safety and well-being of our team members is our unwavering focus always and especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic," said American Airlines spokeswoman Sarah Jantz.
American Airlines already requires temperature checks and face coverings in all buildings. It also does regular cleaning and social distancing in classrooms, along with "several rounds of electrostatic spraying using a hospital-grade disinfectant," Jantz said.
Thousands of flight attendants travel through the training center in Fort Worth every year for mandated Federal Aviation Administration training and other job requirements. American Airlines started construction on a new $250 million hotel and conference and training center at the "Skyview" campus headquarters, but that project and most other capital investments were put on hold in June.
American Airlines brought employees back to its headquarters campus two weeks ago, but only a fraction of the 12,000 employees are working there daily.
Hundreds of American Airlines flight attendants and pilots have been infected with COVID-19 during the pandemic, but CEO Doug Parker said the infection rate for crew members is lower than the population at large and even lower than the rate for ground employees.
There was also a COVID-19 outbreak among ramp workers at DFW International Airport in April.
Some 8,000 flight attendants have been furloughed because of ongoing financial pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic recession. Thousands more have opted for voluntary leave and buyouts aimed at helping reducing payroll costs.
American Airlines has about 100,000 employees, including its wholly-owned regional airlines.
