United Airlines Cuts Flight Schedule Amid Air Traffic Controller Strike

In a significant disruption to airline operations, United Airlines has announced that it will cancel 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey. The move comes as a result of a strike by air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Background

The air traffic controller strike began on Thursday and continued into Friday, with the FAA announcing that it had imposed a 72-hour work stoppage on its employees. The strike, which affects air traffic control centers across the country, was called by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in response to disagreements over pay, benefits, and working conditions.

United Airlines' Response

In response to the strike, United Airlines has decided to cancel the 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark EWR. The airline had previously indicated that it would be affected by the strike, but did not specify exactly how many flights would be impacted.

"We are working closely with the FAA and our employees to minimize the impact of the air traffic controller strike on our operations," said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby in a statement. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our customers and will do everything we can to get back to normal as soon as possible."

Impact on Travelers

The cancellation of 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark EWR is likely to cause significant disruptions to travelers. Many passengers who had booked flights on these routes will now be forced to find alternative arrangements, which may involve paying additional fees or waiting for several days for their original flight to operate.

"We understand that this news will be disappointing to our customers," said Kirby. "We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact of this strike and get our operations back up and running as soon as possible."

What's Next

The air traffic controller strike is ongoing, with no clear resolution in sight. The FAA has expressed a commitment to resolving the dispute through negotiations with NATCA, but talks have been stalled for several days.

In the meantime, United Airlines will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed to minimize the impact of the strike on its operations. Passengers are advised to check the airline's website or mobile app regularly for updates on flight schedules and cancellations.

Timeline

• Thursday: Air traffic controllers at the FAA began their 72-hour work stoppage.
• Friday: United Airlines announced that it would cancel 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark EWR due to the air traffic controller strike.
• Ongoing: Talks between the FAA and NATCA continue, with no clear resolution in sight.

Affected Routes

The following routes will be impacted by the cancellation of United Airlines' daily round-trip flights from Newark EWR:

| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | | --- | --- | | EWR | Boston (BOS) | | EWR | Chicago (ORD) | | EWR | Los Angeles (LAX) | | EWR | Miami (MIA) | | EWR | New York (JFK) | | EWR | San Francisco (SFO) |

Alternative Arrangements

United Airlines offers several alternative arrangements for passengers who have been affected by the cancellation of their flights:

• Rebooking: Passengers can rebook on a future flight at no additional cost.
• Refund: Passengers can request a refund for their original ticket.
• Travel insurance: United Airlines offers travel insurance options that can provide financial protection in case of trip cancellations or interruptions.

Passengers are advised to contact United Airlines' customer service team as soon as possible to discuss alternative arrangements.

Conclusion

The air traffic controller strike has caused significant disruptions to airline operations, including the cancellation of 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark EWR. United Airlines is working closely with the FAA and its employees to minimize the impact of the strike and get back to normal as soon as possible. Passengers are advised to check the airline's website or mobile app regularly for updates on flight schedules and cancellations, and to consider alternative arrangements such as rebooking, refund, or travel insurance.