OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — United Airlines has decided to outsource about 80 jobs at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield.

Airline spokesman Luke Punzenberger said Thursday that the decision was a difficult one for United executives, who have been discussing the possibility of layoffs with the International Association of Machinists Aerospace Workers. Punzenberger told Omaha television station KETV that, “when it makes financial sense, we prefer to have United employees.”

The Eppley baggage handlers and customer service workers were notified Thursday. The cuts are expected to be effective by mid-May. United says the Omaha cutbacks are among the 1,150 planned nationwide.