United Airlines has postponed the start date for 23 pilots due to begin training this week and announced it is likely to cut its schedule again in light of coronavirus, reports CNBC.
The announcement is significant because it can often take months for new starters to be allowed onto an airline’s aircraft. It also comes just weeks after United announced the purchase of a new flight training academy.
Outgoing chief executive Oscar Munoz wrote in an email to staff, “I am confident that our deeply embedded safety practices and commitment to health and safety put us a step ahead in terms of keeping our aircraft and workspaces clean and sanitary.
“We are strategically managing our Atlantic and domestic service, mindful of travel directives from the federal government, fluctuating demand and of course, the advice of public health experts.
“Based on current trends, it is likely that additional schedule reductions will be necessary.”
Munoz is set to hand over the reins to current president Scott Kirby in May.
Earlier, the airline announced it was to offer a month off at reduced pay to pilots who fly the wide-body aircraft used on trans-Pacific routes.
United said in a statement that it “worked with our union partners to offer pilots associated with those changes the opportunity to voluntarily adjust their near-term schedules, as we do whenever business needs allow”.
“Moving forward, we will continue to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and work closely with our labour partners to help manage our business to minimise the operational and financial disruption of the outbreak,” the airline said.
