United Airlines has dropped service at yet another U.S. airport.
United will no longer service Westchester County Airport in White Plains, in suburban New York City. United operated the flight to its home base in Chicago. The service will end on June 30.
The airline has now ended service at 39 U.S. airports.
Most of the cuts came during the pandemic, as airlines paired back their schedules.
“Since we have a limited number of regional jets and pilots to fly them, we regularly evaluate how best to use those resources to provide convenient service to smaller airports across the country. Based on this analysis, we have decided to suspend service between White Plains and Chicago starting 7/1. We’ve already begun proactively contacting our customers to offer them alternative flights to Chicago from LGA, EWR and other nearby airports,” United said in a statement.
Westchester County Airport (HPN) was a convenient option for many who did not want to drive into the city or New Jersey.
The airport will still be serviced by American, JetBlue, and others. Like United, American has a hub in Chicago. In fact, American operates three daily flights between Westchester and Chicago. But Chicago is also the headquarters of United. Ironically, United charged $11.00 more for a flight from Chicago to HPN, but sorely lacked in market share to the airport, according to stats from the Department of Transportation.
But most airlines, United included, have dropped smaller airports as the pilot shortage has worsened.
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