American Airlines has reportedly agreed to terminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) hiring and employment practices, joining a growing list of major corporations to stop the controversial “wake up” initiative.

America First Legal (AFL), a conservative watchdog organization, announced on Tuesday that American Airlines has agreed to “cease discriminatory labor practices” after the AFL filed a complaint against the company.

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“The airline recognized that recruiting and hiring based on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) violates federal and equal employment opportunity laws,” the AFL said in a statement.

In January, AFL accused American Airlines of discriminatory labor practices in violation of federal hiring requirements a federal civil rights complaint.

“Despite receiving more than $140 million in federal government contracts since 2008 and promising, pursuant to Executive Order 11246, not to discriminate in the hiring, promotion, or training of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, American Airlines has explicitly engaged in race and sex discrimination in recruitment programs, Cadet Academy recruitment and promotion processes,” the watchdog said.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Ground crew members direct American Airlines Flight 718, a Boeing 737 Max, as it departs from its gate at Miami International Airport bound for New York on 29 of December 2020 in Miami, Florida. ((Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)/Getty Images)

Last week, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs convened an informal compliance conference with American Airlines to address the allegations detailed in AFL’s complaint, prompting the airline to agree to withdraw the procurement policies of DEI, according to the statement.

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“American Airlines acknowledged and agreed to end its unlawful race and sex discrimination in hiring and promotion practices,” the AFL said.

Will Scolinos, America First’s general counsel, welcomed the reversal Tuesday, saying in a statement: “America’s businesses must return to using merit, not the desire to check a DEI box, to select the most qualified employees and qualified. American Airlines’ settlement with OFCCP is the latest victory for the AFL in our fight to put discrimination on the no-fly list.”

American Airlines did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

American Airlines isn’t the only airline struggling backlash against DEI practices. Earlier this year, the AFL filed similar complaints against United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, alleging racial and gender discrimination.

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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby went viral in January after comments he made in 2021 about the company’s diversity initiatives emerged. During an interview with Axios on HBO, Kirby said the company was committed to ensuring that 50 percent of its pilot graduating classes were women or people of color. His comments were criticized by Elon Musk, popular financial news account Wall Street Silver, former California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder and many others on social media who accused the airline of putting DEI commitments on the back burner ahead of passenger safety.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby speaks to reporters after a joint press event with Boeing at Boeing’s manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina on December 13, 2022. (LOGAN CYRUS/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

United and Southwest have since agreed to end “illegal and discriminatory recruitment practices, including quotas and benchmarks for recruitment and hiring based on race and sex,” the AFL said in the statement, citing confirmation of the OFCCP.

But as of Tuesday, Southwest’s website still shows its commitment to DEI hiring and its effort to fill vacancies with “different candidate boards for each role.”

When reached for comment, Southwest denied a reversal of DEI’s policy, telling Fox News Digital that “the reports are not accurate.”

“Southwest Airlines will continue to recruit, hire and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. During an informal conference on December 2, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) reiterated that Southwest should continue to comply with the regulations, OFCCP found no violations by the airline,” he said.

United Airlines did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The topic of skilled job candidates in the aviation industry has sparked a national debate and attracted significant attention online. Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faced intense backlash for recruiting workers with “severe” intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions as part of one diversity and inclusion recruitment initiative explained on the agency’s website.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 5: People wait for their luggage at an American Airlines baggage claim at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on August 5, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images/Getty Images)

After a plug door on a Boeing 737 Max 9 exploded during a Alaska Airlines flight on January 5, the FAA grounded all 737 MAX 9 aircraft for a “comprehensive inspection” and maintenance work. Social media users and public figures blamed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on airlines and airline manufacturers for making flying less safe.

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On the FAA’s website, the agency states that people with “severe” mental and physical disabilities are the most underrepresented segment of the federal workforce.

When asked for feedback on the initiative, including the roles that people with disabilities would play, the FAA told Fox News Digital that the agency searches and thoroughly screens qualified candidates “from as many sources as possible” for a range of positions.