U.S. airlines were battling a pilot shortage well before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the crisis has exacerbated the challenge with no short-term solution in sight.

Alaska Air Group continues to work toward exiting its Airbus A320 operations in early 2023, and says strong prospects for shedding its Airbus A321s also could materialize.

The Seattle-based airline is also moving up the retirement of its Airbus A320s.