United will cut up to 2,850 pilots without more federal aid

United said Thursday that it will furlough up to 2,850 pilots this fall unless the federal government provides more relief to help airlines cover their labor costs during a pandemic-fueled downturn in travel. United’s figure is higher than the 1,941 pilots that Delta plans to furlough and the 1,600 targeted for termination at American. The airline told pilots it will send furlough notices by US mail in the next few days, with the cuts taking effect between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30. The airlines and their unions are lobbying for another $25b to help the companies cover payroll costs for six more months, through next March. However, talks between the White House and congressional Democrats over a larger virus-relief measure have stalled.<br/>