The pandemic devastated airlines in 2020 and forced many out of business here s the most notable that didn t make it to 2021 Thomas Pallini An aircraft sits in a boneyard in Arizona. Last year saw an influx of airlines close up shop as the pandemic forced travellers to stay home. All 11 major US airlines remained intact but smaller regional carriers were forced to close or merge due to the drop in travel demand. Not all were due to the pandemic, however, as the first two months of the year saw high-profile closures due to mounting losses.
Each year sees a small number of airlines close up shop for any number of reasons, but last year had the pandemic to speed some along.