When a global pandemic slammed into the travel industry in 2020, it nearly ground commercial aviation to a halt. But sooner than most executives expected, demand for travel came roaring back. (And that expectation-versus-reality discrepancy led to a staffing shortage after widespread layoffs and furloughs). As a result, major carriers rushed to rev up their flight schedules by bringing back suspended routes and adding new daily departures to accommodate passengers flocking to the skies.
Despite the hot demand, some airlines are nevertheless cutting routes again, to the frustration of passengers. Read on to find out the latest airline to strike flights from its schedule, and how it could affect your upcoming travel plans.
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Just last week, United announced that it would be cutting flights to eight major cities over the next month as it grapples with operational issues, according to travel news outlet The Points Guy. For at least the month of June, the carrier will suspend service from Newark to Maui (OGG), Honolulu (HNL), and Tokyo (NRT), as well as between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Sao Paulo (GRU), Geneva (GVA), and Honolulu. The airline also said it was suspending flights from Dulles to Dublin from June 4 through June 30.
In that case, the carrier explained that it was suspending the flights due to an aircraft shortage: Its Boeing 777-200 and 777-200ER planes have remained grounded since an incident in February 2021 in which a Honolulu-bound United flight from Denver rained engine parts onto the Denver area. They won’t be back in service in time to handle United’s previously announced June schedule.
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JetBlue has been under fire in recent months for widespread cancellations and delays…