Ed Bastian, Delta Air Lines chief executive, said new employees will be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday, making Delta the only major airline in America to require vaccines for at least a portion of its workforce.
Bastian told CNN that “any person joining Delta in the future, we’re going to mandate that they be vaccinated before they can sign up with the company.” Current employees will have an “option” to be vaccinated.
He added that unvaccinated employees may not be able to fly international routes since the injection may be required in other countries.
While the United chief executive, Scott Kirby, said in January companies should make vaccines mandatory, he acknowledged he did not think United would get away with and could realistically bet he only company requiring the vaccines.
“We need some others,” he said. “We need some others to show leadership. Particularly in the health-care industry.”
American Airlines offered employees who take the shot an extra day off in 2022 and a $50 voucher.
