Delta to Cut Up to 1,000 More Positions

Delta Air Lines Inc. said Wednesday that up to 1,000 jobs could be cut as part of its effort to accelerate its transformation plan.

The affected positions are in addition to the up to 7,000 job cuts that the Atlanta-based airline announced in September 2004. Before that, 16,000 other jobs were shed since 2001 at the nation's third-largest carrier.

Exactly how many employees will be affected in the new round is not known, but they will have opportunities to work elsewhere in the Delta system if there is an open job, spokeswoman Chris Kelly said.

The changes will take effect by Dec. 1.

In a memo to employees Wednesday, chief operating officer Jim Whitehurst said the job position reductions are part of the company's plans to reduce capacity at its Cincinnati hub.

"We regret that these changes will have an impact on our employees in the area and their families, with in the range of 1,000 Delta and Comair positions affected," Whitehurst said. "At this time, however, the actual number of involuntary job losses is not known because we are working to minimize that number by offering relocation and other opportunities to affected Delta people."