United Airlines Lays Off 1,016 to Fight Loss

United Airlines said today that it is laying off 1,016 administrative and support personnel, effective immediately, to combat the carrier’s $80.6-million loss in 1986.

Most of those furloughed work at the airline’s headquarters in this Chicago suburb, United spokesman Joe Hopkins said. About 4,000 people are employed at the headquarters offices.

In addition, there will be no salary increases for officers and management employees in 1987, United spokesman Matt Gonring said.

Hopkins said the cuts will not involve pilots or flight attendants and will have no impact on safety or customer service.

United reported a fourth-quarter 1986 net loss of $31.3 million and a loss for the year of $80.6 million. Gonring blamed the carrier’s weak financial position primarily on “a great deal of fare discounting in the first half.”