SIOUX CITY, IA -
American Airlines is expected to shed 13,000 jobs in order to cut costs.
Sioux Gateway's new carrier is making some drastic changes after filing for bankruptcy back in November, and those cuts and changes have some Sioux Gateway frequent fliers a little worried.
American Eagle, a regional carrier for American Airlines, is clear for takeoff from Sioux Gateway Airport starting in April.
The carrier plans on offering two flights a day to Chicago, but that new destination along with those expected jobs cuts have some fliers worried.
Many folks say they take current Delta flights to Minneapolis for business, and the change to Chicago O'Hare doesn't really fit into those travel plans, but a spokesperson from American Airlines says frequent fliers shouldn't worry.
"I don't really like flying through there because flights are delayed and canceled so often, so I'm very disappointed," says April Lee, from Vermillion, South Dakota.
"There's been a lot of questions about mostly frequent flyer statuses, going from Delta Airlines, and if American Airlines will do a status match, and the answer is yes," says Paige Teel with American Airlines.
There's no word yet on if those job cuts will have any effect on Sioux Gateway Airport as American Eagle moves forward with the takeover.
Jobs, like the current ground crew, are still up in the air.
Right now the city is encouraging American Eagle to keep those same people as employees come April.
