United slashes flying, freezes hiring on coronavirus-hit demand

United announced Wednesday it is cutting domestic, Canadian and international flying and implementing a series of cost-cutting measures, some of the most drastic actions by a US airline to date as the spreading coronavirus has depressed air travel demand. In a letter to employees, United said it was reducing US and Canadian flights by 10% and international flying by 20% in the month of April and eyeing similar cuts in May. In addition to a hiring freeze, the airline is delaying merit-based salary increases and offering employees the option of taking a voluntary unpaid leave of absence. Until now, United had reduced flying only to areas most hit by the coronavirus. "The experience of these and other foreign carriers is a further sign that the impact of COVID-19 on our industry - both internationally and here in the U.S. - continues to evolve rapidly," United said in the letter, signed by CEO Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby.<br/>