United Airlines Adjusts Hiring Plans Due to Boeing Delays

7 months ago Editor

United Airlines announces adjustments to its hiring strategy for 2024, citing delays in Boeing aircraft deliveries. Despite challenges, the airline has already onboarded thousands of new team members.

United Airlines announced a revision to its hiring strategy for 2024, citing delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing as the primary reason. Kate Gebo, head of United’s human resources and labor relations, revealed that the airline will hire fewer employees than initially planned.

Gebo stated that United now expects to hire approximately 10,000 new employees in 2024, a reduction from the earlier projection of 13,000 to 15,000. Despite this adjustment, United has already onboarded 4,000 new team members since January, including over 800 pilots and more than 600 flight attendants.

The airline’s hiring efforts are directly impacted by its aircraft orders and operational growth, Gebo emphasized. The challenges stem from Boeing’s safety crisis, which has led to a 25% reduction in United’s total aircraft delivery estimates for the year, down to 66 jets.

In response to the aircraft delays, United has experienced excess staffing, prompting measures such as pausing pilot hiring and offering voluntary unpaid leave. However, the airline has since resumed pilot hiring as it navigates through these challenges.

United Airlines has announced a revision to its hiring strategy for 2024, attributing the change to delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing. Kate Gebo, head of United’s human resources and labor relations, disclosed that the airline will hire fewer employees than initially projected.

Gebo revealed that United now anticipates hiring approximately 10,000 new employees in 2024, a reduction from the earlier forecast of 13,000 to 15,000. Despite this adjustment, the airline has already brought onboard 4,000 new team members since January, including over 800 pilots and more than 600 flight attendants.

The airline’s hiring endeavors are significantly impacted by its aircraft orders and operational growth, emphasized Gebo. Boeing’s safety crisis has resulted in a 25% reduction in United’s total aircraft delivery estimates for the year, down to 66 jets.