US Airways said yesterday that it was eliminating about 50 positions at Pittsburgh International Airport as part of trimming 233 jobs in 10 cities the carrier serves.
Las Vegas, Pittsburgh and Tucson, Ariz., are the cities hardest hit by the cutbacks in which employees whose positions are being eliminated are being offered the opportunity to work at another station in the US Airways system.
Because it is unknown how many employees will take the carrier up on its offer, it's impossible to say how many people will actually lose their jobs, said US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant.
The furloughs, which will occur at the end of March, primarily affect baggage handlers in Pittsburgh and a much smaller number of ticket and customer-service agents.
Currently, US Airways employs 2,603 workers here.
The carrier said the cuts were necessary because of reduced flying capacity, the loss of service contracts with other airlines and a decrease in attrition rates.
In a letter to employees yesterday, US Airways Chief Executive Officer Doug Parker wrote: "These are uncertain times marked by less business flying, fewer family vacations and rising unemployment. Even though today's news is part of our previously announced capacity reductions, losing 233 airport positions is a step we had hoped to avoid, primarily through attrition.
"In these uncertain times, we all need to keep doing what we do best: run a reliable airline, keep our costs low and take care of our customers."
Other cities affected include Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles; Miami; Oakland, Calif.; San Jose, Calif.; and Salt Lake City.
