American Airlines plans to cut as many as 900 flight attendants from its ranks next month as part of nearly 7,000 expected layoffs this year, reports the Dallas Morning News. The job cuts, intended to counter rising fuel expenses, mirror an intended 8% reduction in the airline's worldwide flights. The cuts will leave American with fewer than 80,000 jobs, a low it hasn't hit since 1988.
“These are difficult but necessary changes given the unprecedented challenges we face with overcapacity in the industry, skyrocketing fuel prices, and a worsening US economy,” said an American rep. (More American Airlines stories.)