Omicron Forces Alaska Airlines To Cut 10% Of January Flights

Alaska Airlines has revealed it will be cutting its flight schedule by 10%. The airline becomes the latest to react to the fast spreading Omicron COVID-19 variant which is causing issues with staff availability at airlines, particularly in the United States.

Alaska Airlines has cut 10% of its January schedule. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Things seemed to be going so well for airlines in the US. Following the dark days of April 2020, the sector was able to recover fairly quickly, aided in part by the number of domestic flights operated by US carriers given the country’s size. Though it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Airlines have also been forced to deal with a significant rise in unruly passenger incidents.

Alaska cuts its flight schedule

Yesterday, Alaska Airlines revealed that it would become the latest airline to slash its flight schedule in the wake of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The airline revealed that 10% of its planned January schedule had now been canceled.

The airline revealed that it was unable to meet its planned schedule due to unprecedented levels of sick leave as people call in with the virus. Planes can’t be operated without crew after all.

The rapid rise of Omicron has caused increased number of staff to call in sick. Photo: Getty Images

With its actions, Alaska Airlines is proactively cancelling flights, as opposed to keeping them scheduled in the hope that they still operate and then letting passengers down at the last minute. This tactic also means that rather than cancelling random flights on the day, Alaska can target the staff it predicts will be available to its highest demand routes.

Commenting on its actions, Alaska Airlines said,

“To our guests, we apologize for the considerable inconvenience and are working hard to return to the level of service they know and expect from us… We will learn from these challenges, improve where we must and deliver on our promise to deliver nonstop care each and every day.”

Many airlines cancelling flights

Alaska Airlines isn’t the only airline that is cancelling flights as a result of the Omicron variant. Just yesterday, the airlines Northern neighbour, Canada’s Air Transat, revealed that it would be cutting 30% of its schedule for the remainder of the winter 2022 schedule.

Air Transat has also been forced to trim its schedule. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Just four days ago, another Canadian carrier, WestJet, revealed that it would also be cutting flights. The airline has trimmed 15% of its January flights due to staff shortages.

It seems as though the cancelations are here to stay for the time being. Omicron remains the dominant variant around the world, and while data suggests that it is not as severe as previous variants, it appears to spread far quicker. Airlines and passengers will likely have to wait until its spread dies off slightly, either through herd immunity, continued vaccinations, or as the summer months approach.

Have you found yourself on a flight cancelled by the Omicron variant? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!

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