Running short of Boeing jets, United tells pilots to take time off

CHICAGO, Illinois: This week, United Airlines said that due to delays in receiving new planes that it ordered from Boeing, it has asked its pilots to voluntarily take time off in May.

United spokesperson Leslie Scott said, "Due to the recent delays in Boeing deliveries, our forecasted flight hours have been reduced and we are offering our pilots voluntary programs for the month of May to reduce excess staffing."

In a note to pilots, United said it expects to make similar requests during the summer and possibly into autumn.

United is offering short-term leaves and unpaid time off, but they are not mandatory, the Air Line Pilots Association said.

Since an accident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 Max jet, federal regulators have been investigating production quality issues at the plane maker. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has banned Boeing from increasing production of the jets.

United CEO Scott Kirby and several other airline executives have called out problems at Boeing and sought a meeting with Boeing directors.

Last week, Boeing said that its CEO, David Calhoun, will step down at the end of the year.

It added that the head of its commercial aircraft unit has already been replaced, and the chairman of the board will not stand for re-election in May.