UAL shuts down call center unit in India

Washington, Feb 12: United Airlines (UAL) confirmed closing down of its call center in India and transferring 165 jobs to the United States due to recession.

The layoff decision was taken up by the company when UAL Corp, parent of third biggest North American carrier decided to axe 1,000 more jobs, pushing the total to 9,000 by year's end, to help stem losses.

The Indian call center jobs will be transferred to call centers in Chicago and Honolulu, Hawaii, and filled by workers who now handle reservations, the Chicago-based airline said.

"Beginning in April, it said the workers will add customer-relations duties, which involve issues or complaints after travel," said Robin Urbanski, airline spokeswoman.

"More sophisticated conversations with our guests are much better-suited for us to handle instead of a third-party partner," Urbanski said.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)