United Airlines to Close Bases in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and Tokyo

By Kurt Stolz on 26 September 2020
  • Share

A United retrojet in Chicago

United Airlines will close its flight attendant bases in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and Tokyo and will not be required to offer the crew members affected by the closings the opportunity to transfer to its London Heathrow base.

The move comes amidst the plummet in travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The closings were originally announced in early June and are scheduled to take effect October 1.

The move comes after an arbitrator ruled in favor of the airline after the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents United workers, challenged the airline’s refusal to allow affected workers to transfer to its sole remaining base in London.

The layoffs will affect 840 flight attendants. Those who are eligible to work in the United States will be offered the opportunity to transfer, the airline said.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)

Accura News