Delta Fights Subpoena of CEO

Delta Air Lines Inc. asked a U.S. bankruptcy court to keep Chief Executive Officer Gerald Grinstein from being forced to testify in the case of commuter carrier Comair Inc.

Delta on Tuesday sought to quash a Nov. 15 subpoena for Grinstein from Comair's chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association. The airline filed for Chapter 11 along with Delta on Sept. 14, 2005, and wants to impose $15.8 million in annual wage and benefit cuts on pilots to help it restructure.

Grinstein had nothing to do with Comair's proposed contract terms, Delta argued in its motion. Grinstein, 74, said in the motion his testimony wouldn't add to the proceedings.

A Delta spokeswoman, Betsy Talton, declined further comment.

Comair wants to trim annual costs by $42 million to exit bankruptcy. The Cincinnati-based carrier won concessions from flight attendants and reached a tentative agreement for cuts from its mechanics. Comair asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Adlai Hardin on Nov. 2 to impose new terms on its 1,500 pilots.

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