United ends 14 Washington routes as regional pilot shortage worsens

United is dropping 14 routes to its Washington Dulles hub as the regional pilot shortage in the US gets worse. The carrier will suspend service in March between Dulles and Akron-Canton, Ohio; Asheville, Greensboro, and Wilmington, N.C.; Bangor, Maine; Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, State College, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.; Ithaca, N.Y.; and Milwaukee, Wis. None of the destinations will lose United service entirely, with five cities even gaining new service to Newark to replace the Dulles flights, and most say the airline intends to restore the routes in 2023. United spokesperson Kimberly Gibbs said the changes were part of its continual effort to “closely match supply with demand.” The cuts are the latest fallout from the worsening regional pilot shortage. Speaking a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on December 15, United CEO Scott Kirby said the airline’s regional affiliates had grounded more than 100 aircraft — most 50-seat regional jets — because there were not enough pilots to fly them. His comments followed similar ones he made at the Skift Aviation Forum in November, which came after the airline had already cut at least eight smaller destinations from its map due to a lack of crews. And United isn’t alone. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker confirmed of regional pilot hiring issues. And Delta is exiting at least three cities and suspending another 10 routes.<br/>