Delta To Recall Furloughed Pilots

Delta Air Lines said it will recall 60 to 70 furloughed pilots starting this month because of an increase in its summer and fall flying schedules and the return of four grounded jets to its fleet.

In a memo to pilots, Delta said it planned to gradually recall 64 pilots to training classes starting June 28. The recalled pilots will resume flying commercial trips in late summer. Pilots typically must undergo weeks of training before resuming flying duties.

The airline has been periodically calling back pilots it furloughed in recent years, despite its heavy losses and its bankruptcy filing last September. The carrier last called back furloughed pilots last October. Currently, 465 pilots are on furlough, down from a peak of about 1,400 in 2003, when Delta downsized after the invasion of Iraq.

"We're pleased that Delta's network and revenue improvement initiatives are affording us the opportunity to bring furloughed pilots back to Delta," Gary Beck, Delta's senior vice president of flight operations, said in a statement.

In a separate memo to pilots, Beck said the recall was partly due to schedule increases in the late summer and fall and "a short-notice change in plans that reinstates a few 737-800 and MD88 aircraft into our schedule."

Delta said it decided to put the four aircraft, which had been stored in the desert, back on domestic routes after renegotiating their leases as part of its bankruptcy restructuring.

"I was furloughed three times during my aviation career, and I want you to know that I appreciate what you've been through, and I recognize the fact that you have been away from a Delta cockpit for almost five years," Beck said in the message to pilots.

Separately, airlines juggled various fare increases headed into the weekend.

Delta said Friday it had not matched United Airlines' fare increases of up to $10 one-way on most of its domestic routes.

JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker said in a note that he expected a "full competitive match" by other carriers over the weekend, making it the sixth broad increase in fares this year.

Airlines typically must roll back fare increases if competitors don't quickly match them.

Meanwhile, most big carriers on Friday matched Delta's similar increase in international ticket prices a day earlier. Delta, which had increased fuel surcharges by $10 each way on trans-Atlantic flights, was matched by American, United, Northwest airlines and US Airways on Friday, according to Bloomberg News.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.