United will withdraw from New York’s JFK airport and claim losses for seven consecutive years
Civil Aviation Resource Network June 17, 2015: According to Reuters, on June 16, United Airlines said it will withdraw from New York's JFK International Airport in October - because the airport is connected to other cities with too few flights, United The airport has suffered losses for seven consecutive years. In addition, United will increase flights at Newark Airport.
United Airlines operates only the flights from JFK to Los Angeles and San Francisco, which will be operated by Boeing 757. Since October 25, 2015, United will transfer these flights to Newark Airport as a hub for United. At the airport, United has hundreds of connected flights at the airport.
The move shows that United wants to win more passengers in the highly competitive cross-continental market, while its rivals American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue are spending huge sums of money to upgrade their cabin settings and airport lounges to attract passengers.
Delta Air Lines plans to acquire United's take-off and landing time at JFK, while United also plans to acquire Delta's take-off and landing time at Newark Airport. However, the two deals also require regulatory approval.
Delta Air Force spokesman Anthony Black said that United would not acquire Delta’s take-off and landing time at Newark Airport. As a result of the transaction, there will be a modest change in the number of flights operated by Delta Air Lines at Newark Airport.
This change may also cut costs. United Airlines Chief Income Officer Jim Compton said he hopes to reduce the number of employees, but United will work with unions to find other jobs for dismissed employees. Currently, United employs approximately 200 airport operators and approximately 70 technicians at JFK Airport.
United said that the New York and New Jersey Airport Authority charges too much for flights to Newark Airport. Compton said that United will continue to advocate regional cost fairness and the use of appropriate principles.
United will retain its flight at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
