Delta Air Lines to cut capacity by 6-8 pc in 2009

WASHINGTON: Delta Air Lines, the new number-one US airline, said Tuesday it would reduce capacity by six to eight percent next year to cope with the global economic slowdown and falling passenger demand.

Domestic capacity of the airline, formed in the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines in October, will be slashed eight to 10 percent in 2009, and international capacity will be cut by approximately three to five percent, Delta said in a statement.

"This action comes as a result of the global economic recession and weaker demand for air travel," the company said.
Delta said the 2009 capacity reductions include the impact of measures announced this year.

The company did not provide details on the number of new jobs cuts the restructuring will entail, or the number of airplanes to be mothballed or the routes affected.