American Airlines layoffs could impact entire region

TULSA, Okla. - Workers at American Airlines' maintenance facility aren't the only ones who could be impacted by their company's financial restructuring plan.

The Tulsa Metro Chamber said any major layoffs at the facility would have a ripple effect across the region.

"American has been our region's number one employer size-wise for decades," said Mike Neal, president of the Tulsa Metro Chamber.

Neal said it's too early to know what specific impacts layoffs could have on the area. That will depend on the number of workers who ultimately lose their jobs.

However, Neal said a few months ago the Chamber did look at what might happen if the entire plant were to close.

Neal said the report estimated up to 11,000 people could be impacted by the closure -- significantly more than the 7,000 employees who currently work at the maintenance facility.

"These [workers] live in every community in northeast Oklahoma and their presence is huge," said Neal.

Neal said the good news is the worst case scenario -- the plant's closure-- did not happen.

Meanwhile at Heros Subs & Burgers on East Pine, owner Nancy Ghazal is concerned about possible American Airlines layoffs.

Ghazal said 50 percent of her lunch hour customers are American Airlines employees.

"They're talking about 2,100 layoffs," said Ghazal. "[That] is a lot."

Ghazal said a major layoff of that size would certainly have a negative impact on her business, possibly even forcing her to lay off employees, which she would dread.

American Airlines contributes about $500 million to the Tulsa region every year in the form of wages and benefits.

A bankruptcy judge will ultimately determine the number of workers who are laid off.

Neal said the Chamber is working to identify local companies who might be interested in hiring laid off American workers.

Neal said several companies had already called the Chamber expressing interest.