Australian Pension Funds Boost Currency Hedging as Aussie Dollar Strengthens 
Anta Sports Expands Global Footprint With Strategic Puma Stake 
Lee Seung-heon Signals Caution on Rate Hikes, Supports Higher Property Taxes to Cool Korea’s Housing Market 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Jobs and Inflation Data 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
SpaceX Prioritizes Moon Mission Before Mars as Starship Development Accelerates 
American Airlines CEO to Meet Pilots Union Amid Storm Response and Financial Concerns 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says AI Investment Boom Is Just Beginning as NVDA Shares Surge 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Innovent Biologics Shares Rally on New Eli Lilly Oncology and Immunology Deal 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Southwest Airlines was said to have called back 209 pilots who have signed a voluntary extended leave program. They were asked to return for the flights scheduled for the summer.
Southwest Airlines said on Monday, April 5, that the decision to recall the pilots is part of the company’s preparations as the demand for travel increases. The airline acknowledges the fact that this is a sign of recovery in the travel business.
Flight demand soars
As per Reuters, the pilots are set to go back to their work on June 1. After reporting to work, they will be asked to complete the necessary requalification training requirements before they can fly again with passengers.
In any case, it was mentioned that the recovery in the travel industry is because more and more Americans are getting vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. This means people now feel at ease and more comfortable when traveling as they have some protection from the virus.
Most airlines have stopped their normal operations since the pandemic hit last year. As a result, employees were asked to take a leave while others were even laid off. And today, with the availability of vaccines, it seems that the travel industry is on its way to recovery, as shown in the increasing demand for travel in recent weeks.
Airlines expecting to bounce back soon
Nasdaq reported that along with the recall of 209 pilots who are on extended vacation programs, Southwest Airlines also placed an order for additional 100 Boeing 737 Max planes. This move is also part of the firm’s post-pandemic recovery efforts.
As more people around the world are vaccinated, the airline industry is expecting a rebound in business in the coming days or weeks. In fact, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have also started to recall pilots to match the flight demands that shot up recently.
Meanwhile, over 1.5 million passengers were recorded to have traveled for the Easter holidays. This was a big jump from last year’s 122,029 passengers in the same period. Delta Airlines even had to cancel 100 flights for the big demand, and yet it only has few pilots available.
