Coronavirus forces Delta to scale back flights by 70%, park 600 jets

FAN Editor

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Delta Air Lines said on Wednesday it was parking more than 600 jets, cutting corporate pay by as much as 50%, and scaling back its flying by more than 70% until demand begins to recover from the coronavirus epidemic hit.

Continue Reading Below

In a memo to employees, Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian said the company would continue taking “all necessary self-help measures,” with cash preservation the top priority, even as it remains optimistic of industry support from the White House and Congress.

The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed $50 billion in loans for U.S. airlines, according to a document seen by Reuters, with requirements including limits on increases in executive compensation until the loans are repaid.

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
DAL DELTA AIR LINES INC. 24.34 -7.40 -23.31%

Some Democratic lawmakers – eager to avoid mistakes they say were made after the September 2001 attacks – have demanded additional requirements, including protections for employees and a ban on share buybacks.

UNITED TO REDUCE FLIGHT CAPACITY BY HALF, CUT CORPORATE OFFICERS’ PAY

Delta said its officers will take a 50% pay cut through June 30 while board members forgo pay for the next six months. Bastian has already given up his salary for the next six months.

With fewer customers flying, the company is consolidating airport facilities in Atlanta and other locations, closing the majority of its Delta Sky Clubs, and reducing other spending in an effort to save more than $4 billion in cash in the second quarter.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski, Editing by Franklin Paul and Rosalba O’Brien)

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Free America Network Articles

Leave a Reply

Next Post

Coronavirus crisis -- How CFTC is tackling major economic threat: Chairman Tarbert

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman and Chief Executive Heath Tarbert discusses the markets and gives details on ‘bad actors’ who are peddling false coronavirus cures or products. Even on a typical day, the U.S. derivatives markets see more than $4 trillion in notional trading activity. But with the coronavirus pandemic […]