United Airlines to cut 100 jobs in Australia

SYDNEY (AP) - United Airlines announced Thursday that it will cut 100 jobs in Australia as it streamlines its operations. In a statement, the airline said that from May, customer service and ground handling at Melbourne and Sydney airports would be outsourced, followed by reservations in early June.

Stephen Pearse, the airline's general manager in Australia and New Zealand, said the decision was part of efforts to build an "efficient, consistent and cost-effective organization.''

United Airlines emerged from three years of bankruptcy in the United States in February. It has not made a profit in six years.