United Airlines announced that it would cut three of its international cabin crew bases. The airline is planning to make the cuts from October when the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) act ends. United has offered these staff members a lifeline, but is a promise it can follow through with?
For United Airlines, staff unemployment has looked to be on the cards for a while. Having invested in several plans to conserve cash and tighten its operation, it was only a matter of time before the airline looked to reduce its headcount.
In an internal memo, seen by Reuters, United Airlines announced on Friday (June 5th) that it would be closing three of its foreign flight attendant bases. With just four of them anyway, this figure represents a shut down of 75%. The decision leaves 840 United crew without jobs come October 1st.