United Airlines is set to cease operations in another US city, marking this as the 39th location the airline has withdrawn from since the onset of the pandemic. However, this exit bears a different significance, given the unique nature of the city.
As of June 30, United will no longer be serving Westchester County Airport (HPN), as per recent filings and a subsequent confirmation from a company spokesperson. Over the years, the airline's regional partners, including SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet, and Air Wisconsin, have operated routes to Westchester from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Dulles International Airport (IAD). However, United ceased the IAD-HPN route in June 2012, leaving only the ORD-HPN route in operation.
With the ORD-HPN route also being dropped in the coming weeks, United will effectively shutter its HPN station. The airline issued a statement explaining the decision, attributing it to a limited number of regional jets and pilots. The statement further elaborated that the airline is actively reaching out to customers, offering them alternative flight options to Chicago from other nearby airports.
Subsequent to United's departure, American Airlines will assume full control of the ORD-HPN route, continuing to offer up to three daily flights under the American Eagle brand, using the CRJ-700 regional aircraft.
Westchester County Airport is uniquely positioned, serving some parts of Connecticut that would otherwise necessitate a two-hour drive to the major airports in the New York City area. The airport's easy navigation and proximity to local residents make it a preferred choice over larger airports in the region, despite the potential need for a connecting flight.
The pandemic led United to withdraw from several other locations with significantly smaller population centers, like Erie, Pennsylvania, and Mosinee/Wausau, Wisconsin. The airline has repeatedly cited the pilot shortage as a major challenge, particularly for regional partners that have served as springboards for aspiring pilots. Efforts are ongoing to cultivate a new generation of pilots, but the current shortage is a problem that cannot be solved instantly, leading airlines, especially United, to withdraw from smaller cities.
