United Airlines reacts to coronavirus by cutting flights 50%, slashing officer salaries

United Airlines is cutting capacity by 50 percent for April and May and slashing corporate officer salaries in half, saying in a March 15 memo that the spreading coronavirus has created “an unprecedented challenge.”

Cuts could extend into the peak summer travel season, according to a memo from United CEO Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby to nearly 100,000 United employees that was obtained by the Chicago Business Journal.

The carrier also said it has begun talks with United’s unions about…