PSA Airlines to Cut 89 Jobs in Philadelphia

PSA Airlines Inc., a subsidiary of troubled US Airways Group Inc., will eliminate 89 jobs in Philadelphia by September, including 59 pilots, according to the Pennsylvania labor department today.

The Ohio-based airline, which operates US Airways Express service in several cities, including Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., told the agency that the laid-off workers will be allowed to seek jobs at other locations in the US Airways system.

The company's Web site says it currently employs more than 2,000 people and lists a number of job openings, including pilot and flight attendant.

But in a federally mandated notice to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, dated June 29, the airline's chief executive, Keith Houk, wrote that PSA would lay off 59 pilots, 29 flight attendants and one other employee, effective on or before Sept. 1.

The notice called the layoffs "permanent" but gave no other explanation. Company officials had not returned a phone call as of 1 p.m. today.

The layoff notice said pilots and flight attendants, under their labor contract, do not have the right to "bump" others with lesser seniority. But they will be able to bid for other jobs.