United outlines plan to narrow gap with rivals

United Continental Holdings said Tuesday that it is reviewing the role of its 8 big airport hubs as part of a broader effort to close its profit gap with rivals. Analysts don’t expect the airline to close any hubs that funnel passengers through its wider domestic and international network, but it may shuffle more flying between the cities. United has wrestled with operational and service problems that have lost it lucrative corporate fliers, who have found it easier to switch to rivals. The airline has a lower market share at its big hubs compared with those operated by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. “We’re going to refine the mission,” United CE Oscar Munoz said of the hubs, with the results to be announced later this year. <br/>