United Continental's small-city strategy is showing cracks

Beginning in 2017, United Continental executed an abrupt strategy shift. After years of slow growth, the airline began expanding aggressively, with a particular focus on adding more routes to small and midsize cities. However, United Airlines now plans to cut several small-city routes from its Chicago hub after Labor Day. It is also possible that United is being forced to rethink its entire expansion strategy. In early September, United Airlines will stop flying from Chicago to 3 small markets: Champaign/Urbana, Illinois; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Mobile, Alabama. United will exit the Champaign/Urbana market entirely. This is particularly notable because Champaign/Urbana was one of 4 destinations that United added to its route map last summer in the first phase of its small-city expansion plan. <br/>