United To Close Flight Attendant Base In Japan


United to close flight attendant base in Japan

A major US carrier, United Airlines, is closing a flight attendant base in Japan. The move comes at a time when the carrier is suffering poor business performance due to the coronavirus pandemic.

United Airlines and a union representing its flight attendants say a decision has been made to close the base at Narita Airport near Tokyo at the end of September.

The closure could lead to job losses for 270 workers who belong to the base, including more than 150 Japanese flight attendants.

The union is asking the carrier to assign those attendants elsewhere and maintain employment.

A United official told NHK that the pandemic dealt an unprecedented blow to the airline industry, and that the tough step is unavoidable to survive the crisis.

The pandemic has forced airlines to suspend many international flights or reduce the number of services.

The Japan Federation of Aviation Worker's Unions says other foreign airlines are also considering reducing workers at Japanese units.