AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT PROSPECT AIRPORT SERVICES

Des Plaines, Illinois-based Prospect Airport Services, a third-party vendor of ticket and gate agents, passenger services, ramp/cabin services, cargo services, and support services to airlines, has announced that it will be discontinuing operations at San Francisco International Airport as of December 31, 2021.

The shut down will impact 177 employees, mostly passenger service agents, along with aircraft security guards, and related management and support staff.

At this time, the company has not commented on the closure of its remaining California operation at Oakland International Airport.

It is presumed that like most others in the commercial aviation space, that most closures and reductions in force can be attributed to the global pandemic that has resulted in reduced travel, the unavailability of hospitality services and destination venues, and economic disruptions in the jet fuel markets.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? IS THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL AT JET BLUE?

Long Island City-based JetBlue Airways, a low-cost passenger airline, is considering relocating from its New York headquarters location to Florida where the company maintains a training center and travel-products sales operation.

Like many companies located in high-tax, high-regulatory compliance states like New York and California, moves to lower-tax states with fewer regulatory restrictions and a lower cost of living is increasingly attractive.

A company spokesperson noted that the company employs 1,300 employees at its Long Island City headquarters and that a decision will be made later this year. "We are exploring a number of paths, including staying in Long Island City, moving to another space in New York City, and/or shifting a to-be-determined number of roles to existing support centers in Florida.”

Considerations include the current headquarters lease expiration in 2023 and the reduction in occupied office space as the company uses remote workers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other New York politicians are said to be working on an incentive package and exerting force on the airlines to remain headquartered in New York.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

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AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT EXPRESSJET AIRLINES

Atlanta, Georgia-based ExpressJet Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the United States offering contract regional service to larger airlines, has announced that it would be ceasing operations after losing the contract from United Airlines to operate its United Express service. Thousands of employees were laid off, including 1,400 pilots and thousands of crew and support personnel.

According to a spokesperson, ""On July 30, United Airlines selected CommutAir as its sole Embraer ERJ145 operator, and asked ExpressJet Airlines to wind-down flying for UA by year end. After spending considerable time planning this wind-down, ExpressJet and United’s management teams decided that due to uncertain schedules from October to December, it would be best to accelerate the termination of all ExpressJet scheduled service flying, on behalf of United Express, on September 30, 2020."

There is little doubt that this action was a result of the global coronavirus pandemic which decimated the travel and hospitality industries as destination attractions were closed and people restricted to their homes.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?