United Airlines Laying Off 450 Workers In Cleveland

CLEVELAND — United Airlines plans to lay off 450 workers at Cleveland Hopkins airport, the airline announced Thursday.

In a letter filed with the state, the airline said it has lost billions of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the layoffs. The company said they do not expect business to return to "normal" until there is a vaccine for COVID-19.

Airlines received federal funding in the CARES Act, which protects jobs through Sept. 30, 2020. However, United Airlines said the money the company received was not enough to further preserve jobs.

The company said it plans to layoff 450 workers at Cleveland Hopkins beginning Oct. 1, 2020, the day after CARES Act protections expire.

"The number of employment separations that will occur may ultimately decrease if we are able to reach creative solutions with our union partners or if there is significant participation in voluntary programs to reduce payroll expense," the company said in a letter to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.

United Airlines said it hopes its workforce reduction is temporary, but foresees the layoffs lasting 6 months or longer. The company said it hopes employees will consider taking volunteer layoffs or participating in other budget-cutting programs to prevent further job loss.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much change in our personal and professional lives and will result in us being a smaller airline. While I understand the business need to align the size of our organization with demand, I also understand and deeply regret the impact this action will have on our employees and their families. We are working hard to get through this as quickly as possible and reuniting our United team," the company said in its letter.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Hopkins Airport declined to comment.