United Airlines Prepares for the Biggest Pilot Lay Off

United Airlines is preparing for the biggest pilot lay off this fall as it faces a sharp decline in travel because of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the details, United airlines has planned to furlough up to 2,850 pilots this year unless federal payroll support is extended. Moreover, the airline plans to dismiss 1,750 of its 13,000 pilots beginning October 1, 2020, however, another 572 will be furloughed at the end of October and 531 on November 30, 2020.

In a memo to pilots, Bryan Quigley, United’s Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, noted:

“With travel demand dramatically reduced, our airline will need to become much smaller effective October 1, 2020, when the support we received from the Payroll Support Program runs out. While the company, ALPA and our other labor unions completely support and remain hopeful that Congress will make head-way on an extension of the Payroll Support Program, we need to prepare and plan for the future should an extension not be granted.”

About 450 pilots opted for the early out program, a form of early retirement that allows them to receive reduced pay for a limited time period until they fully retire, according to the pilots’ union.

United Airlines hints for a massive lay off amid COVID-19

“It’s important to note that our numbers are based on the current travel demand for the remainder of the year and our anticipated flying schedule, which continues to be fluid with the resurgence of COVID-19 in regions across the US,” Quigley added in the memo.

Earlier this week, American Airlines said it will have 40,000 fewer workers this fall, including about 19,000 who were involuntarily furloughed or laid off. Delta Air Lines also said it will furlough 1,941 pilots in October unless it can reach an agreement with the union to reduce costs.