(The Lion) — America’s largest airlines are ejecting their DEI hiring practices after mounting pressure from a legal group and the federal government.

American First Legal (AFL) Tuesday announced American Airlines would “end race and sex-based discrimination in hiring and promotions.”

In a letter from the U.S. Department of Labor, American affirmed its diversity goals were “not to be interpreted as a ceiling or floor for the employment of particular groups of persons” and would not tolerate “any unlawful discrimination” or “hinder equal employment opportunities.”

“American companies must return to using merit – not the desire to check a DEI box – to select the most skilled and qualified employees,” said AFL counsel Will Scolinos. “American Airlines’ agreement with the OFCCP is AFL’s latest victory in our fight to put illegal discrimination on the no-fly list.”

Southwest made a similar concession earlier this month, as did United Airlines in November.

AFL filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor in January, citing the $620 million in taxpayer-funded contracts received by American, Southwest and United since 2007.

According to AFL, Southwest promoted “more diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities and candidate pipelines” and aimed to double “the percentage of racial diversity and increasing gender diversity in our Senior Management Committee (Executives) by 2025 as compared to 2020,” and increase “diversity in Senior Leadership as compared to 2020.”

American Airlines had previously said it “must carry the banner around the world for DEI,” and United’s CEO even said the airline wanted half of its pilot classes to be women or people of color.

American, United and Southwest combined represent about 50% of the airline market, according to the legal group.