United Airlines Confirms Suspension of Services at JFK Airport

United Airlines has announced that it will suspend service to John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York City beginning in late October 2022.

Last September, United Airlines threatened to stop flying to New York’s main airport, JFK, if the federal government would not allow United to expand its operations there.

United Airlines resumed service in 2021 after the pandemic, but since then has reduced the frequency of its JFK–West Coast flights to twice daily.

United’s “too-small-to-be-competitive” schedule out of JFK and the beginning of the winter season, often a peak period for flights, are cited in a document obtained by Reuters as reasons for the airline’s “tough choice” to suspend operations.

United claimed it had to temporarily cease operations at JFK because of “our present, too-small-to-be-competitive operation out of JFK” combined with the start of the Winter season, where more airlines would run their slots when they resumed flying into JFK.

There was no word from the airline on when they may restart the service.

United has stated that the airport’s 100 employees will be relocated to nearby stations. The company has stressed that no jobs will be lost due to the closure.

Also, Reuters reports that the FAA has confirmed that it is “committed to helping increase the capacity of New York City airports and airspace without compromising safety.

The FAA stated, “We will award future slots per our fair and well-established method to encourage competitiveness.”