CHARLOTTE — More than 1,000 American Airlines flights scheduled to take off this fall from Charlotte Douglas International Airport have been scratched from the lineup.
A spokesperson told Channel 9 that the adjustments made last month include canceling 504 flights from its September calendar and another 595 from October.
[ ALSO READ: American Airlines cutting another CLT flight this fall ]
The daily average of American Airlines departures from Charlotte is down to 527 in September and 548 in October, the Charlotte Observer reported. Now, 16,338 trips will depart from Charlotte in September and 17,003 in October.
While flights were canceled, no routes were removed during the service reduction.
“They’re not meeting demand,” said Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association. “They’re meeting the limits of their plan of having enough pilots trained to do the flying.”
>>Watch Channel 9′s LIVE STREAM wherever you are, at this link.
Tajer, who is with the American Airline’s pilots’ union, blamed the cuts on a shortage of trained staff.
“Here’s the catch. When you have less flights out there, ticket prices go up,” he said. “It’s because they failed to plan. Ultimately, our passengers are going to suffer from this.”
A representative for American Airlines said affected customers will be contacted with new flight options or may be eligible for a refund.
(WATCH BELOW: Travel troubles continue at Charlotte Douglas)
This browser does not support the video element.