United reduces flights, cuts 3,400 staff

CHICAGO, March 21 (UPI) -- Bankrupt United Airlines plans to cut more flights and lay off 3,400 mechanics and flight attendants as bookings fall because of the war in Iraq.

More than 1,100 mechanics will be furloughed at an aircraft maintenance center in Indianapolis starting with 468 International Association of Machinists members on March 25. The 10-year-old facility will be temporarily closed on April 15 and about 2,300 flight attendants will be placed on unpaid leave as of April 1.

United began notifying managers about planned flight schedule reductions and layoffs this week. Salaried and management employees might also be placed on unpaid leave.

United will idle seven Boeing 737 aircraft, 10 Boeing 757s and four Boeing 777 jumbo jets, published reports said Friday.

"These are extremely difficult times and there are certainly no easy solutions or quick fixes," United Chief Executive Officer Glenn Tilton said in a recorded message to employees. "We have absolutely no intention whatsoever of failing,and we have every intention of doing a lot more than simply surviving."

American Airlines, the world's largest carrier, Thursday cut its international flights 6 percent because of falling bookings to Europe and Latin America.

US Airways, which hopes to emerge from bankruptcy this month, further eased restrictions on ticket changes, allowing customers who bought tickets for travel on or before April 2 to return to their originating city earlier than booked without penalty.

US Airways' passenger load is down about 20 percent from last year.