United Airlines received billions in Covid aid. Now thousands of workers could lose their jobs

The company is considering plans to outsource 2,500 catering workers who struggled through the pandemic

Few industries were hit as hard as airlines when the coronavirus pandemic hit the US last year. To stop what looked like the imminent collapse of a major employer, the government stepped in with $15bn in support.

We thank Congress and the administration for quickly passing legislation to protect the paychecks of tens of thousands of United Airlines employees," said Frank Benenati, the United Airlines spokesperson.