Chicago-based United is suspending service at JFK airport by the end of October.
In a memo sent to employees, the company blames the FAA, saying they have not given United enough slots to operate more flights. They also say they’ve been trying to get more permanent JFK slots from the FAA for over a year.
“Given our current, too-small-to-be-competitive schedule out of JFK – coupled with the start of the winter season where more airlines will operate their slots as they resume JFK flying – United has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend service at JFK,” the memo reads.
Not a Huge Loss For JFK In Terms Of Flights
The company only does four flights a day there as it is, with two SFO and two LAX round-trips. That accounts for only 1% of JFK traffic. They also operate out of LaGuardia Airport and a hub in Newark, where they expect to operate 13,000 (combined) flights next month. United makes up for 70% of traffic at Newark.
Their 100 employees at JFK will likely be transferred to those. United says nobody at JFK is losing their job.
They also say it is only temporary, but they have done this before at JFK, and did not return for 5 years. At the time, slots became available when other int’l carriers reduced ops because of Covid-19. But with travel bouncing back, those airlines have been taking their slots back.
Door Is Open For Another United Return
United says talks with the FAA have been “constructive”, but added that “the process will take some time.”
The FAA says they are “dedicated to doing its part to safely expand NYC airports and airspace capacity.” They added that they “will follow our fair and well-established process to award future slots to increase competition between airlines so passengers have more options.”
United’s last JFK flight is scheduled for Oct 29.
