By B. Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, Mo. – American Airlines announced today that it will reduce the size of its hub at Lambert Airport beginning in November.
That move - along with the closing of a reservations center in St. Louis - will mean the elimination of more than 2,000 jobs locally and some 200 fewer flights each day.
American's President and CEO Gerard Arpey says it was a difficult decision but necessary for the long-term success of the St. Louis hub.
"This decision in St. Louis will allow us to continue the implementation in the reduction of the fleet that we've already announced. And second, we'll be able to provide the people of St. Louis and the surrounding areas the service that allows them to travel on routes they fly the most," Arpey said.
Arpey says the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a poor economy and changes in the marketplace all contributed to American's failure to make the St. Louis hub at Lambert a success.