American Airlines Continues Expansion of Maintenance Workforce

Dec. 17, 2007
American Airlines plans to recall or hire 200 to 250 maintenance employees to help address staffing needs for increased workloads in 2008.

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines announced today plans to recall or hire 200 to 250 maintenance employees to help address staffing needs for increased workloads in 2008.

This expansion, which begins in December and will continue through the first quarter of 2008, will impact staffing levels at American's three overhaul bases in Tulsa, OK, Fort Worth, TX, and Kansas City, MO, as well as its line maintenance facilities across the airline's system.

"In reviewing our needs for 2008 and beyond, it became very clear that increasing our maintenance workforce would ensure that we continue on the path of becoming 'Best in Class,'" said Carmine Romano, American's Senior Vice President - Maintenance and Engineering. "While this will be an ongoing process for the next few months, we are very pleased to welcome more people returning to work or starting a career with American."

The additional head count will help support increased work volume and projected attrition levels. In 2008, American anticipates increased workloads in several areas at its maintenance bases and line stations. For example, American has begun work on overhauling landing gears on American's Boeing 777 and 737 fleets as well as the landing gears on the American Eagle ERJ fleet. American will also start heavy checks on the General Electric CFM56-7 engine, which powers its Boeing 737-800 fleet. As part of American's ongoing effort to improve the customer experience, the maintenance organization has taken on the responsibility for installing new lie-flat seats and enhanced inflight entertainment in the Business Class cabin on all Boeing 767-300 and First and Business Class cabin on all its Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

American, along with its joint venture with Rolls-Royce, Texas Aero Engine Services Limited (TAESL), performs about 90 percent of all its maintenance work.

About American Airlines

American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and We know why you fly are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

SOURCE American Airlines