United Airlines Prepares for Possible War

February 11, 2003

United Airlines Prepares for Possible War
United Airlines could survive the financial consequences of a possible war with Iraq by reducing flights and winning lenders’ leniency, a company spokesperson said.

According to USAToday.com, United Airlines was planning to decrease flying capacity by 6 percent this year. Douglas Hacker, executive vice president for strategy, said in an interview Friday that if faced with war, international capacity on United would see greater cuts than domestic. Flights would be less frequent, although no destinations would be dropped. United also would hasten cost cutting efforts previously in place in bankruptcy court.

Travel industry experts doubt travel demand would plunge during a possible war with Iraq unless there is a new event involving a commercial plane.

To learn more about this story, visit USAToday.com.