American Air to put A330-200s into storage on demand collapse

American Airlines Group Inc. will move its Airbus SE A330-200 fleet into long-term storage at least until 2022 as the carrier has no use for the wide-body aircraft in the domestic market after the collapse of international travel demand.

The decision is the latest move by American to adjust to the devastating impact of the pandemic, which has led to a 95% collapse in travel. The carrier already has temporarily parked at least 450 planes and accelerated the retirement of about 80 aircraft.

Routes previously flown by the A330-200 will be operated by Boeing Co. 777s and 787s, the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline said in a statement Wednesday.

The fleet decisions will trigger a shakeup of work assignments for pilots and flight attendants, potentially changing the cities they are based in and the type of aircraft they fly. Some pilots also may see a change in rank as the most senior aviators are given preference in new assignments starting in September. The A330s primarily flew from American hubs in Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We’re working closely with our union partners to ensure a smooth transition to other fleet types for pilots, flight attendants and other frontline team members whose main body of work is the A330,” American said. “No crew bases will close and no team members will be furloughed at this time as a result of this extended storage.”

American will release additional details, including the number of affected pilots, this week. The process complies with terms of the airline’s pilot contract, said Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association.

The airline previously said it would move up the retirement of its Boeing 757s and 767s, Airbus A330-300s and Embraer SA E190s as part of its efforts to reduce operating costs.