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.
