United Airlines Could Lay Off Half Its U.S. Workforce In The Fall

The Chicago-based airline announced Wednesday it could furlough up to 36,000 U.S. employees in October.

By Stephanie Kim
United Airlines Could Lay Off Half Its U.S. Workforce In The Fall
Rows of United Airlines check-in counters at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago are unoccupied on June 25, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. United is sending layoff warnings to 36,000 employees, nearly half its U.S. staff, the airline announced Wednesday, July 8. Teresa Crawford / AP Photo
United Airlines Could Lay Off Half Its U.S. Workforce In The Fall
Rows of United Airlines check-in counters at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago are unoccupied on June 25, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic. United is sending layoff warnings to 36,000 employees, nearly half its U.S. staff, the airline announced Wednesday, July 8. Teresa Crawford / AP Photo

United Airlines Could Lay Off Half Its U.S. Workforce In The Fall

The Chicago-based airline announced Wednesday it could furlough up to 36,000 U.S. employees in October.

By Stephanie Kim
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As the demand for air travel continues to remain low, United Airlines is warning of massive layoffs starting as early as Oct. 1. That’s when the $5 billion the airline received from the federal CARES Act runs out.

Reset checks in with NPR’s David Schaper for more on this story.

GUEST: David Schaper, NPR national desk correspondent based in Chicago