The swap boosts Delta’s strategy of focusing on New York, where it has a base for international flights at Kennedy airport and is second in passengers in the region. It also aids US Airways’ plan to cut 1,000 jobs as it scales back service in some cities to concentrate on Washington National and hub airports in Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Charlotte, N.C.
“Those conditions raise the prospect of higher fares and, if history repeats itself, a reduction in service to smaller communities,’’ Mike Cleary, the union president, said in the statement.
The agreement “places a great burden on many of US Airways’ New York-based employees whose jobs will be eliminated,’’ said the union, which represents more than 5,000 of the airline’s pilots.
Morgan Durrant, a spokesman for Tempe, Ariz.-based US Airways, said in an e-mailed statement that “these were difficult decisions to make, but when you’ve lost $800 million in 2008 and are expected to lose money again this year, you have to make changes. We believe the transaction with Delta is the best move for the long-term health of US Airways.’’
Delta’s chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association supports the proposed slot swap.
