American ends service in Iowa due to pilot shortage

American Airlines plans to drop service at Dubuque Regional Airport in Iowa in September, the fourth city the carrier has cut service to amid an ongoing shortage of pilots.

American Airlines will stop flying to the Iowa city on Sept. 7, the same day it cuts service to Islip and Ithaca in New York and Toledo.

Fort Worth-based American Airlines flew to Dubuque through its hub at Chicago O’Hare Airport and was the only airport flying to the city.

Airlines across the country are facing a shortage of pilots. Regional carriers are being hit the hardest because the pay is lower than their mainline counterparts such as American, United and Delta airlines. Airlines across the world are facing a wave of retiring baby boomer-age pilots, and large carriers are restaffing by recruiting from regional airlines.

United Airlines cut service to 29 cities this summer because of a shortage of pilots, too, and it’s unclear when service will return.