On Wednesday, United Airlines announced it plans to furlough 16,370 employees in October due to a slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to airline officials, the number is smaller than what they predicted in July because thousands of workers agreed to leave the travel industry. They once outlined 36,000 potential furloughs in July.
Official say, since then, thousands of workers took early retirement, buyouts, or long-term leaves of absence.
According to Market Watch, United officials said the forced job cuts would begin October 1, when a prohibition on furloughs ends.
Officials say flight attendants will bear the brunt of the cuts, with 6,920 getting furlough notices. About 2,850 pilots, 2,260 airport-based employees, 2,010 maintenance workers and 1,400 management and support staff would also lose their jobs.
The cuts do not include the 7,400 employees who took buyouts or early retirement. Up to 20,000 more accepted reduced work schedules or took voluntary leaves lasting up to 13 months.
According to Market Watch, United officials were still discussing ways to limit pilot furloughs.
Airlines are cautious about furloughing too many pilots because federal requirements for ongoing training mean it takes longer to bring them back.
The company did not immediately disclose how many of the furloughs will happen for their employees in NJ.