Comair says it will downsize fleet, staff

CINCINNATI (AP) - Delta Air Lines Inc. subsidiary Comair says it will reduce its fleet by more than half and cut staffing over the next two years to become more competitive.

Comair President John Bendoraitis said in a memo to employees Wednesday that the Erlanger, Ky.-based regional airline will accelerate the reduction of its aging, less-efficient 50-seat jets while retaining its larger 65-seat and 76-seat jets.

Bendoraitis says the airline, which currently has 97 planes, plans to become a 44-aircraft operation by the end of 2012 and will reduce staff accordingly.

He didn't specify how many jobs would be cut.

Comair has about 2,500 employees and operates more than 400 flights a day to about 70 cities in the United States, Canada and the Bahamas.

Comair Air Line Pilot Association made the following statement about the upcoming downsizing: “ALPA’s responsibility and commitment to the Comair pilots has not wavered. Our focus remains on protecting our contract, our company and our jobs. During the coming months, we will fully devote our attention to this restructuring, its planned implementation, and its effects on all Comair pilots.”

To read the memo from Comair to their employees about the downsizing, click here .

To read CVG's response to the cuts, click here .