A week after graduating from high school in Puerto Rico, Pedro Fabregas heard American Airlines had full-time job openings at his local airport. The only position available was pushing wheelchairs. He took the job and pursued college courses in administration and finance at night. Today he is at the helm of American’s Irving-based, wholly-owned subsidiary, Envoy Air.
How are you coping amid the COVID-19 crisis?
“Like all airlines, Envoy has been hit hard by the rapid decline in demand for air travel. But as an ‘essential’ service needed to keep the country moving, our employees continue to come to work and care for our customers who need to travel. I’m immensely proud of the dedication and professionalism of our team–and their absolute commitment to the safety of our customers and each other.”
Have you found silver linings in these difficult times?
“Times of crisis bring people together, and while the COVID-19 outbreak has had a devastating impact on our business and so many others, it has been gratifying to see how our team members have stepped up to help, both at work and throughout the community. I have heard stories every day about employees who are volunteering their time and effort to help those who most need it. It’s humbling to see how much our people truly care about the people they serve—and each other.”
What will things look like for your company and industry in another six months?
“Although no one can say for certain how long this outbreak will last, I am confident that when the danger has passed, there will be a surge in demand as our customers will be eager to resume their travels. Our goal in the short term is to take care of our people, carefully manage our costs, and be poised to ramp up quickly to meet that returning demand. Those of us in the airline business love what we do— people and places, and broadening horizons—and the Envoy team is eager to get back to doing just that.”
