United Airlines cuts flights as 3,000 workers test positive for covid

United Airlines' chief executive said on Tuesday that nearly a third of the company's employees called out sick at Newark Liberty International Airport in a single day over the holidays. This disclosure by the company in a memo to its staff helps explain the struggles of the airlines' industry. Storms, whipping winds, rains and heavy snowfall have disrupted flights at airports across the country. The fast spread of the Omicron variant combined with thousands of airline workers falling ill has left several travelers stranded and angry.

Scott Kirby, United's chief executive said in a memo that around 3,000 employees, which is more than 4% of the company's workforce, have recently tested positive for the coronavirus. The vast majority of the company are not working and United is cutting down flight schedules to manage the worker shortage.

Mr. Kirby said, Our frontline teams continue to put in a tremendous effort during what I know is an incredibly challenging and stressful time — the Omicron surge has put a strain on our operation, resulting in customer disruptions during a busy holiday season."

Source: The New York Times