United Airlines is canceling near-term flights amid a surge in COVID-19 infection cases resulting in almost 3,000 employees calling in sick as a recent memo from the CEO upheld the company’s stance on vaccine mandates. “In addition to impacting our operation and our customers, I also know that Omicron has affected the personal well-being of our United team,” United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said on Tuesday. “We have about 3,000 employees who are currently positive for COVID. Just as an example, in one day alone at Newark [New Jersey], nearly one-third of our workforce called out sick.” The company canceled 154 flights, or seven percent, and delayed 152 flights on Tuesday, according to data from FlightAware. Southwest Airlines had 142 cancellations and 171 delays. United reduced the impact on customers by canceling flights ahead of them coming to the airport, said the CEO. However, the recent staff shortages have …