Delta to Cut Flights; Workers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that about 2,000 workers at Delta Air Lines are taking early retirement offers, allowing the company to reduce its staff. The airline also announced more flight cuts.

The move was part of Delta's efforts to fold in employees from Northwest Airlines into its own work force. Delta acquired Northwest in 2008, but after extended challenges in labor representation elections, it is finally completing the combination of work forces this year.

The airline will also cut back international flights, just after opening the Atlanta airport's new international terminal with additional gates.

The paper reports that Delta will cut another 5 percent of trans-Atlantic flight capacity due to the weakened euro and the risk of fuel price spikes, according to Bastian. The airline will also cut another 1 to 2 percent of flight capacity in the Pacific region, he said. In total, Delta will cut its flight capacity this year by 3 to 4 percent, deeper than the 2 to 3 percent cuts it previously planned.