(Reuters) – Southwest Airlines said on Thursday it is recalling over 2,700 flight attendants from leave to support its summer schedule, ending a voluntary furlough program introduced during the coronavirus pandemic as travel demand waned.
As more Americans become vaccinated, Southwest is among U.S. airlines signaling a recovery and trying to prepare for pent-up demand for domestic leisure travel.
Last week, the low-cost airline said it had recalled 209 pilots from a similar voluntary leave program.
Both recalls take effect on June 1.
The Dallas-based airline said it still has other employees participating in the voluntary extended time-off program, including 800 pilots.
(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Editing by Leslie Adler)
