A Hawaii-bound United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver's airport after experiencing an engine failure shortly after takeoff. There are no reports of injuries.
"To our departing 13,000 family members: thank you for your dedication and we look forward to welcoming you back," United told employees, as CARES Act payroll aid was set to expire.
A pilot program on flights from San Francisco to Hawaii would give on-the-spot tests for the virus that causes COVID-19. Travelers who test negative would not be required to quarantine upon arrival.
Just last week, American Airlines announced that 19,000 job cuts were coming. A federal aid package for the industry expires at the end of the month, and airlines are lobbying for an extension.
United's CEO says the change was a top request from customers. Delta and American followed suit after United's announcement. Airlines are trying to coax wary customers to return amid the pandemic.
With bookings down and cancellations on the rise amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases, United's furloughs will be a "gut punch" to employees when federal coronavirus relief funding runs out.