At Chicago-based United, the deepest
reductions in flying will be between the U.S.
and Asia — a cut of 50%. United, like Delta and
American, suspended service to mainland China
and Hong Kong last month. United will also
chop 10% from its schedule between the U.S.
and Europe, 5% to Latin America.
United officials said they don’t plan to abandon
service to any U.S. cities, but they will eliminate
some routes as part of the 10% cut in the April
schedule for domestic service. For example, the
airline will stop flying from Chicago to Eugene,
Oregon, but it will continue to serve Eugene from
San Francisco and Denver. It will also reduce the
number of daily flights on some routes.
United’s top executives said they expect those
reductions to extend into May, but they have
not determined what to do after that — it will
depend on bookings over the next few weeks.
CEO Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby said
hiring has been frozen at least through June 30
except for critical positions. And they said in a
letter to employees that beginning immediately,
U.S.-based workers could apply for a voluntary,
unpaid leave of absence or a reduced schedule.
Officials said the company does not plan layoffs.
“We sincerely hope that these latest measures
are enough, but the dynamic nature of this
outbreak requires us to be nimble and flexible
moving forward in how we respond,” Munoz and
Kirby said in their letter.
Southwest Airlines has not reduced flying and
doesn’t have immediate plans to do so, said
spokesman Brad Hawkins. American Airlines
declined to comment on its plans. Delta Air Lines
did not immediately respond for comment.