United cuts 335 jobs from local operations

Chicago-based UAL Corp.'s United Airlines has cut 335 workers from its operations staff in Elk Grove Township, according to documents posted Monday by the state.

The affected workers were notified and let go in mid-June as part of the airline's ongoing restructuring to survive.

"The cause is the ever-increasing cost of fuel," said United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy.

United also blamed the price of fuel for its decision to postpone the debut of its flights between the United States and Moscow.

McCarthy declined to provide the types of jobs that were eliminated at the Elk Grove facility, which had about 3,500 workers, including those who track flights worldwide.

This group is part of the airline's announcement last month that it would eliminate about 1,600 positions due to higher costs and soaring jet fuel prices.

The company already indicated about 950 pilots and 600 flight attendants were being furloughed or offered buyouts. United has about 52,500 employees.

Raising fares, adding fees, grounding planes also are among the actions that United is taking to overcome its financial woes. Other airlines, including American and Delta, are taking similar actions.

As for United's postponement of the Russia flights, the price of crude oil has jumped more than 20 percent since UAL Corp. applied for the route between Washington-Dulles airport and Moscow.

United asked the Department of Transportation in a filing last week to defer the flight service from October until March 29, when it expects demand to be higher.