United Airlines Continues to Refine Schedule in Response to Continued Soft Demand for Travel

United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) said today it will take further steps to reduce its capacity to meet continued soft demand for travel. United previously announced that it would reduce capacity, measured in available seat miles (ASMs), to 80 percent of the schedule it flew prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks on America.

Commencing on November 1, United's new schedule will consist of 26 percent fewer available seat miles and 31 percent fewer departures, both compared to levels prior to September 11.

Commenting on the additional capacity reduction, James E. Goodwin, United Airlines chairman and chief executive officer, said: "We need to get our country flying again, and we applaud the lead taken by President Bush and Congressional leaders in encouraging Americans to resume their normal lives, including their travel plans. However, the reality of softer demand means that we must further reduce our capacity as we enter the fall/winter period."

The November cuts will allow for the early retirement of United's entire Boeing 727-200 and Boeing 737-200 fleets. These changes will leave United with five families of aircraft: Boeing 737-300/500; Boeing 747-400; Boeing 757/767, Boeing 777, and Airbus A319/320, a reduction from ten fleets several years ago.

"Even as we take these steps, United will do all it can to support the efforts to get our nation moving again," said Goodwin.