United to Cut May Schedule by 12%

United Airlines said it would cut its May schedule by nearly 12% worldwide because of booking declines related to the war in Iraq and the pneumonia-like severe acute respiratory syndrome.

United, the No. 2 U.S. air carrier, said it would extend its 8% worldwide schedule cuts from April and add about 3.7% to the reductions, which would result in an unspecified number of unpaid leaves for airline employees.

United’s May schedule cuts include 105 domestic flights and 24 international flights a day from service on its main line, the company said. An additional 131 daily United Express regional flights also will be cut, it said.

Shares of UAL rose 3 cents to 77 cents in over-the-counter trading.