Delta may avoid furloughs thanks to early exits

Delta Airlines may be able to avoid involuntary furloughs in the fall.

A source close to the matter says that's because 15,000 Delta employees have expressed interest in early buyout packages.

That's even as other U.S. airlines have warned that jobs are at risk as meager demand for air travel batters the industry.

Delta is among the large U.S. airlines that have tried to encourage workers to leave voluntarily before a government ban on forced job cuts expires on Sept. 30.

Those airlines that can encourage more senior people to leave could face lower labor costs as they brace for a slow rebound.

Meanwhile, United Airlines warned nearly half its frontline workers of potential furloughs last week.

Sources say American is preparing to send warnings this week, along with early exit packages encouraging voluntary departures.

And Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly told employees Monday (July 13) passenger numbers would need to triple by the end of the year to prevent job cuts.

But even as airlines are grappling with overstaffing and burning through millions of dollars every day, they are also facing pressure to limit passengers on flights and allow for social distancing.

Jetblue said Monday it would extend blocking seats on airplanes for another few months, while American and United are again booking flights to capacity, but informing customers if their flights will be full.