United Airlines Cancels Washington Dulles To Dakar, Senegal And Newark To Stockholm, Sweden Routes, Realigning Network Strategy Toward More Profitable And Expanding Markets

Published on November 20, 2025

United Airlines recently announced it will discontinue service from Washington Dulles to Dakar, Senegal, as well as from Newark to Stockholm, Sweden, as part of a larger realignment of the company’s network strategy. Realignment of the company s network strategy involves repositioning United Airlines resources toward more lucrative, expanding, and, ultimately, higher demand and operationally efficient markets. United Airlines is focusing on these highly scalable, high growth international markets and is, therefore, temporarily downscaling these specific international markets and reallocating those resources United Airlines is focusing on profitable international markets.

United Airlines has announced the suspension of two international routes as part of its ongoing network adjustments. The airline is discontinuing service between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), as well as between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN). These routes have now been removed from United’s future schedules, with the last flight from Washington Dulles to Dakar set for early March 2026, and the Stockholm route unavailable for the entirety of 2026.

Reasons Behind Route Suspensions

The suspension of these two routes reflects a broader trend in United Airlines’ network strategy. Airlines are known to regularly evaluate and adjust their route networks based on a variety of factors such as market demand, competition, and overall performance. United’s decision to withdraw from Dakar and Stockholm appears to be driven by weak long-term viability and insufficient demand, despite the potential these routes held when initially launched.

The decision to suspend the Dakar route, for example, comes after a relatively short period of operation. United launched its Washington Dulles to Dakar service in May 2025, marking the airline’s entry into the Senegalese market. The route covered approximately 3,481 nautical miles, operated with the Boeing 767-300ER, and was initially planned to offer three weekly year-round flights in 2026. However, early performance data revealed a seat load factor of just 65% between May and July 2025, which is considered low for long-haul markets in their development stages.

While the flight struggled to gain the necessary traction in its first few months, competition also played a role in United’s decision. Delta Air Lines, for instance, operates a robust service to Dakar from New York’s JFK airport, providing up to five weekly flights on a similar aircraft. Additionally, Air Transat has announced plans to launch service from Montreal to Dakar in June 2026, further adding to the competitive landscape in this market.

The withdrawal from Stockholm’s route also reflects shifting priorities within United’s international strategy. Historically, United inherited the Newark to Stockholm route from Continental Airlines and had operated the service on a seasonal basis. Over the years, however, the number of flights offered during the summer months had been reduced. By 2025, United was only operating 88 flights between late June and early September, significantly down from the 128 flights in 2019.

While the route achieved a relatively high load factor of 88% in the summer of 2025, the overall market volume remained lower than desired due to the shrinking operating window. United had planned to expand service in 2026 with daily flights from June to September, but these plans have now been canceled. Given the low overall traffic in the off-season months, combined with strong competition from Scandinavian Airlines, United’s management likely determined that the route no longer served the airline’s long-term strategic interests.

A Shift Toward New Leisure and Niche Destinations

The discontinuation of the Dakar and Stockholm routes is part of a broader trend of United Airlines refining its network to focus on leisure and niche markets that demonstrate stronger demand potential. In recent years, United has been adding unique and emerging destinations to its roster, especially in Europe, as well as other regions, to capture a more diversified passenger base.

In 2026, United is set to introduce service to new destinations, such as Bari, Santiago de Compostela, and Split, each catering to growing tourist markets in Europe. The airline’s move to focus on leisure destinations like these speaks to a larger industry trend, where airlines are seeking to capture the attention of travelers looking for less conventional and more specialized vacation experiences.

The focus on smaller European cities could be part of United’s strategy to take advantage of the resurgence in leisure travel post-pandemic, where cities with rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and emerging tourism infrastructure are becoming increasingly popular among travelers. Additionally, the planned return of service to Glasgow further demonstrates the airline’s aim to expand its footprint in desirable leisure markets.

The Competitive Landscape in Dakar and Stockholm

Both Dakar and Stockholm have faced challenges from competing airlines operating in these markets. In Dakar, competition from Delta’s New York JFK to Dakar service and Air Transat’s upcoming Montreal to Dakar route further diluted United’s ability to capture a substantial share of the market. The demand from these carriers reflects the overall competitive nature of transatlantic routes, particularly to destinations in Africa and Europe where airlines often face stiff competition from both legacy carriers and regional players.

Similarly, Stockholm has seen a fluctuation in long-haul carriers over the years. Historically, airlines like Malaysia Airlines have connected the U.S. to Stockholm via transit points, but the market for direct flights to Sweden has remained largely dominated by Scandinavian Airlines. United’s exit from the Stockholm route marks the end of the carrier’s presence in Scandinavia, an area served by other carriers with greater market presence.

Given these competitive dynamics, United Airlines’ decision to shift capacity away from these routes and toward more profitable and resilient leisure destinations seems to be a strategic realignment.

United’s Domestic Network Adjustments

In addition to suspending international routes, United has also announced several domestic network changes. These include the launch of three seasonal Saturday-only routes for 2025 and 2026, along with the discontinuation of one domestic service. These new routes are designed to cater to peak summer travel demand and will operate from Newark Liberty to Kalispell, from Houston to Rapid City, and from Los Angeles to Montrose. The Kalispell route will utilize a Boeing 737 MAX 8, while the Rapid City and Montrose routes will be served by Embraer E175 aircraft.

On the other hand, United will also terminate service between Greensboro, North Carolina, and Denver, citing market performance and seasonal demand patterns as the key factors for this decision. The cancellation of this route signals United’s continued focus on optimizing its domestic network by aligning aircraft capacity with regional travel peaks, especially for mountain and outdoor destinations that see a surge in tourism during the summer months.

Fleet and Aircraft Utilization

United Airlines’ decision to use different aircraft types for seasonal routes further emphasizes its focus on efficient fleet management. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Embraer E175 are both versatile aircraft that allow the airline to adjust its capacity according to demand, whether it’s for short-haul summer routes or more specialized long-haul services. The MAX 8, for example, offers extended range and greater capacity, making it ideal for longer domestic segments, while the E175 is well-suited for regional markets where flexible scheduling and smaller aircraft are needed.

The use of these aircraft is indicative of United’s strategic aim to optimize fleet utilization, especially during peak seasons, while scaling back operations in less profitable markets.

United Airlines’ recent network changes reflect a broader trend in the airline industry toward refining schedules to align with demand patterns. By focusing on high-demand leisure routes and reassessing underperforming services, United aims to ensure a more resilient and profitable operation in an increasingly competitive global market. As airlines continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, the need for flexibility in route planning, as well as the ability to quickly adapt to shifting demand, has never been more critical.

United Airlines is canceling its Washington Dulles to Dakar and Newark to Stockholm routes as part of a strategic shift to focus on more profitable and expanding markets. This move is aimed at optimizing the airline’s network for better returns.

In the coming years, United will likely continue to adjust its route network to respond to evolving travel trends. The airline’s efforts to diversify its offerings by targeting both niche markets and popular tourist destinations indicate a growing emphasis on leisure travel, where sustainable growth and high demand are expected to continue. While the discontinuation of routes to Dakar and Stockholm may be disappointing for some, it ultimately signals United’s commitment to aligning its network with the evolving needs and preferences of global travelers.