American Airlines has agreed to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies related to recruitment after a legal challenge.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has informed America First Legal (AFL) that American Airlines will cease “discriminatory employment practices,” reported Legal Newsline on Tuesday.

“This decision follows a civil rights complaint filed by AFL, which claimed the airline violated federal laws through its DEI hiring strategies.”

Becoming an airline pilot should be about skill and aptitude, not skin colour or gender for the safety of passengers, said aviation expert Kyle Bailey in a Fox News report. 

“Diversity really has nothing to do with safe travel,” he said.

“It’s basically all a matter of flight time, your credentials, your background, how much flight experience you have, and also your training.”

AFL filed the complaint in January, calling for an investigation into American Airlines’ compliance with federal contracting rules.

Despite receiving over $140 million in federal contracts since 2008 and committing to non-discriminatory practices, American was accused of practicing race and sex discrimination in its hiring, Cadet Academy recruitment, and promotional processes.

“The idea that it’s a good thing to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, is under fire in the US,” wrote BNN Bloomberg.

“In recent months, at least 10 big-name US companies — including Walmart, Boeing, Ford, and Lowe’s have announced they’re scrapping or stepping back from DEI-related initiatives.” 

Is the shift in DEI policy related to the recent U.S. election outcome?

President-elect Donald Trump said in April he would create policies in his second term to address a “definite anti-White feeling” in America.

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