Here are the steps the airline industry is taking to create a better travel experience for everyone

During the pandemic, air travel came to a halt, plummeting to levels not seen since the dawn of the jet age. Airplanes are parked one after another in the desert. Empty airports, like forgotten ghost towns, are unlike transport and commercial hubs. Many fear that this sector of the US economy could collapse. These are bad times for the airline industry.

Today, air travel is booming. Every day, 2 million people unpack, clear security, and board planes in the US.

No one would have expected that the US airline industry would see passenger numbers skyrocket from 1950s levels to near 2019 levels in a matter of months. This recovery has been much faster than predicted by economists, analysts and industry observers.

Restarting an entire industry in such a short time is an unprecedented feat – and would not have been possible without the Payroll Support Program (PSP). PSP is a lifesaver for the industry at a time when US airlines are burning through 10-12 billion dollars together every monthThere is no end in sight.

The program ensures US airlines can stay in business and avoid bankruptcy. Service providers were able to keep hundreds of thousands of employees employed, trained, licensed, and ready to go. Democrats and Republicans — in the House and Senate — support PSP, as do labor leaders representing flight attendants, pilots and mechanics. PSP funds have gone only employee salary, according to regulations of the Law, and service providers have paid back government loans. Without the PSP, we might not have the aviation industry in this country. Today, US airlines are flying and people are traveling thank you PSP.

The sudden rise has come with challenges. Like other industries, airlines are navigating a dramatically changing workforce and know that pre-pandemic staffing models no longer work. More and more employees are leaving their jobs due to COVID-19 and fewer employees are able to work overtime. Therefore, airlines need more reserve staff on the flight.

Airlines are hiring at a rapid pace. They are investing in flight academies and have run recruitment campaigns. Last week, Department of Transportation Statistics announced that US airline employment has reached the highest of all time. As of June 2022, A4A passenger carriers have been staffed with 10% more pilots per 1,000 cubic hours than in June 2019.

For its part, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a recruitment campaign to help ensure a sufficient number of air traffic controllers are trained and in the towers. However, it is not a simple process. “As we face the challenges of controller staffing in the FAA, it is not so simple to move fully certified professional controllers from one facility to another.” President and CEO of the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers Rich Santa recently said. “Fully certified controllers at one facility still have to train in maps, frequencies, airspace, procedures, and traffic at their new facility, and there is no guarantee that it will take any time. long or they will succeed.”

Airlines continually work with the FAA to address common operational challenges, including severe weather, so schedules can be adjusted and carriers can communicate with travelers. calendar.

Our airlines understand the importance of communicating with customers, which is why they have made significant investments in technology upgrades, including device apps. mobile. Traveler are increasingly relying on technology for check-in, activity updates, baggage tracking and automatic rebooking.

Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg recently said that airlines need to operate “realistic” schedules, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Service providers continuously evaluate their operations. Last spring, US airlines proactively adjusted their schedules and reduced capacity by 16% in the summer to accommodate staffing realities.

Airlines have also adjusted travel policies to increase flexibility such as eliminating change fees or waiving expiration dates on travel credits. U.S. carriers have returned $21 billion in cash since the outbreak of the pandemic, and claims about refunds to the Department of Transportation (DOT) are dwindling.

While we recognize that it will take time to establish a new normal, US airlines are committed to restoring service, improving operations, and adapting our business model to serve The public travels better.

Airlines always strive to provide the highest level of customer service from ticket purchase to booking. Simply put, we want travelers to have a safe, seamless and positive travel experience – and we’re working towards that goal every day.

Nicholas E. Calio is the president and chief executive officer of Airlines for America (A4A).

Opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary are those of their authors only and do not reflect the views and beliefs of Fortune.

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