US airline CEOs discuss plans for recovery

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said the carrier posted a quarterly profit for the first time since the pandemic hit, noting that it would not have been possible without federal aid. Kelly added, “While the pandemic is not over, we believe the worst is behind us, in terms of the severity of the negative impact on travel demand.” Although passenger volumes remain more than 40% below pre-pandemic levels and many international travel restrictions remain in place, airlines are optimistic about summer travel demand and predict a return to profitability by the fall. According to American CEO Doug Parker, “There is no doubt the pace of the recovery is accelerating.”