In response to a general labour shortage faced by the airline sector as it attempts to capitalise on the strong demand for air travel, Delta Air Lines Inc. announced on Tuesday that it would increase employee pay by 5%.
According to a message from the airline's CEO, Ed Bastian, the rise at Delta includes a 5% basic pay increase for ground and flight attendant staff globally at all pay scale levels and a 5% pool for qualified merit employees globally.
The salary increase, which will take effect on April 1, comes as airlines are making tempting pay offers to recruit new employees and keep existing ones after a fast recovery in the U.S. travel industry.
After the Atlanta-based carrier's pilots decisively decided to authorise a strike in October, the carrier offered a 34% cumulative wage rise to its pilots over three years under a new contract last month.
Except for individuals covered by industry or governmental requirements or collective bargaining agreements, the most recent increase applies to all employees globally. The price of Delta shares fell by about 2% in afternoon trading.
