United Airlines plans to accommodate an additional cut in international capacity of seven percent mostly through frequency reductions to ensure the breadth of its network remains intact.
The carrier has opted to enlarge capacity cuts in international markets in an attempt to better align capacity with demand, and United management is prepared to make further cuts if necessary.
Explaining United is conducting "responsible trimming around the edges," carrier chief operating officer John Tague explained today during an earnings call the carrier acknowledges more cuts could be necessary.
Tague says United is eliminating flights from Washington Dulles to Beijing and Denver to London Heathrow for the winter season. The carrier is also eliminating a second daily flight from its San Francisco hub to both Heathrow and Tokyo Narita. United also plans to cut one of its four daily flights between Dulles and Heathrow.
While Tague says United will always adjust its workforce to meet its production plans, currently no additional furloughs are planned to support the capacity adjustments. But he explains many elements will factor into the carrier's staffing levels going forward including attrition rates between now and the fourth quarter.
Tague emphasizes the latest capacity reductions should not result in significant effects on United's fleet or "the attractiveness and stability" of the carrier's schedule.
The carrier remains on schedule to a make decision regarding a significant aircraft order by year-end.
United earlier this year sent a request for proposal to Airbus, Boeing and engine manufacturers to replace its widebodies and Boeing 757s.
Carrier chief executive officer Glenn Tilton says it is still early in the process, and United "plans to work with manufacturers over the coming months to determine if we can capitalize on this opportunity".
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
