United shutting down overseas crew bases
United Airlines will close three of its four overseas cabin crew bases with more than 800 jobs to go.
The airline’s crew bases in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Frankfurt will shutter, affecting 840 cabin crew.
Only the London base will survive United’s latest cost-cutting measures.
Worst hit is Hong Kong where 319 jobs will go, according to the South China Morning Post.
"In the current and future environment, we simply are not able to sustain an in-flight base at these locations. We recognize that closing any base places hardship on those who live near those locations," said United’s SVP of in-flight services, John Slater.
The bases will close from October 1 when United’s CARES Act payroll protection aid guaranteeing jobs runs out.
Crew members eligible to work in the US have the opportunity to be redeployed there, although many are local hires.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific closed all its US crew bases recently.
"While no other base changes are anticipated at this time, we’ll continue to evaluate the viability of all locations based on the network schedule, government travel restrictions and restoration of demand," Slater added.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt