Touts Move As 'Key Part Of Transformation Plan'

In a press release on their website, Delta executives announced yesterday they are recalling "approximately 200" flight attendants and "up to 65" pilots. We are unsure why the announcement is so ambiguous with the numbers...

This is the second flight crew recall announcement in as many days. ANN reported yesterday rival Northwest Airlines' intention to recall all of their furloughed flight attendants and an unspecified number of pilots.

Delta, granted protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy last September, claims 50 new international routes since then.

In this latest statement Delta says they are "on track" to exit bankruptcy in the first half of next year. Additionally, they report hiring 100 new maintenance personnel and more customer service and reservation specialists.

Quoted in the release, Delta's COO Jim Whitehurst said, "We are extremely pleased to be able to bring pilots and flight attendants back to Delta to help ensure a smooth operation for our customers as we continue our efforts to build a profitable network. The pilots will provide relief in certain aircraft categories and both groups will support what we expect to be another year of expanded destinations for our customers in 2007.”

According to the release, the recalled pilots will enter training in October.

This is the second pilot recall this year for Delta. As ANN reported in June, Delta recalled 64 pilots with a similar statement regarding revenue and customer service improvements.

FMI: www.delta.com