According to the financial results released, United Airlines reported a net loss of $1.9 billion in 2021. The airline reported $24.6 billion of revenue and $25.6 billion in operating expenses. Considering the quarter statistics, United Airlines posted a net loss of $646 million in the quarter ended in December 2021.
The airline recorded total operating revenue of $8.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021, down 25% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Airline’s Total Revenue Per Available Seat Mile (TRASM) dropped 3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The airline’s Cost Per Available Seat Mile (CASM) is up 11% compared to the same period in 2019. United Airlines ended 2021 with total available liquidity of $20 billion.
“The United team has been fighting through unprecedented obstacles to, once again, overcome the new and daunting challenges that COVID-19 is bringing to aviation, and I am grateful to each one of them for their commitment to taking care of our customers,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby responded in the quarter result announcement.
United Airlines plans to bring back Boeing 777s to service in 2022
In 2022, the US airline intends to ramp up capacity by ungrounding 52 Pratt & Whitney-powered Boeing 777s. The Omicron spike worldwide promoted United Airlines to start 2022 with a scaled-back schedule. “While Omicron is impacting near term demand, we remain optimistic about the spring and excited about the summer and beyond.
We look forward to beginning to return the Pratt & Whitney 777s to service this quarter and getting the full airline back to normal utilization — as we ramp up along with demand this year,” CEO said.
United Airlines CEO also hinted at investing in technology and is focusing on streamlining activities. “By investing in innovative technology, focusing on process improvements and implementing a transformative United Next strategy, we’re poised to emerge as an aviation leader that’s more efficient than before and serves our customers better than ever,” he added.
In 2021, United Airlines announced the purchase of 270 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft. It introduced a virtual, on-demand customer service available across all US airports and line stations. It launched services to 14 new destinations, including John F. Kennedy International Airport and five new international destinations.
