Some Positions To Be Eliminated

The memo was delivered to Delta pilots late last week. Delta pilots union chairman Lee Moak said eligible pilots who elect to retire could receive up to nine month pay and benefits as part of an early-exit program.

Delta, and its subsidiary Northwest Airlines, have not said how many of their combined 12,000 pilots they need to cut.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Delta has cut about 6,500 jobs throughout the company through voluntary buyouts and early retirements, but pilots have not previously been included in earlier job reduction programs. The airlines passenger count has dropped nearly 8 percent compared to 2008, but has gradually leveled out.  All major carriers have deeply cut capacity as demand declined during the recession. Delta plans additional cuts on international routes in September.

Lee Moak said in the Wednesday memo that Delta expects all early-retirement enrollees to leave the company by year end, but Delta will have the authority to keep pilots through May 31, 2010, "based on operational needs."

FMI: www.delta.com