Delta Finds It Cut Too Deeply

Sat., Feb. 3, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

Delta Air Lines, awash in red ink a few years ago, began trimming employees, cutting passenger amenities and reorganizing its fleet of aircraft to get expenses in line with revenues.

This week, the carrier acknowledged it may have gone too far - particularly in eliminating customer-service employees such as baggage handlers, ticket-counter and gate agents and aircraft fuelers.

Delta announced it will restore 665 positions in 42 cities.

Most of the job additions - 485 - will take place in Atlanta, spokesman Clay McConnell said.

In addition to the job reinstatements, officials said they will eliminate by century’s end an entire class of three-engine transoceanic aircraft, the Lockheed L-1011.

They will be replaced with more efficient Boeing 767-ER (extended range) twin-engine jets. Delta now operates 55 L-1011 aircraft, with 19 in trans-Atlantic international service.

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Delta Finds It Cut Too Deeply

Jesse Tinsley

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