While a number of major airlines refused to fly immigrant children that had been separated from their families at the U.S. border, United Airlines (United) has announced it will be donating flights in order to reunite children who have been separated from their immigrant families.
Earlier last week the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) announced its intention to provide US$3 million to the #Flightsforfamilies initiative.
With a major hub in San Francisco, United has made the move despite a potential backlash since the immigration debate is politically sensitive, but it is anticipated the carrier's offer will be well received by the majority of Americans.
In a statement shared with the San Francisco Business Times at the end of last week, United said: “United Airlines is proud to support the work of FWD.us as they help to reunify immigrant children with their families. United is in a unique position to provide badly needed support that few can provide to help reunify these families, and we take pride in doing our part to connect people and unite the world.”
United is the world's third largest airline by revenue and a founding member of the Star Alliance. Operating a large domestic and international route network, regional flights are operated by independent carriers under the brand name United Express. The carrier operates from nine hubs, including Chicago O'Hare airport, employs over 86,000 staff and is headquartered in Chicago's Willis Tower.