80 pilots with Delta carrier to be furloughed

Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines is furloughing 80 pilots as its flying decreases.

“The decision to furlough is a direct result of our economy that’s driving down demand,” said ASA spokeswoman Kate Modolo.

The furloughs, which go into effect Feb. 9, are the first in Atlanta-based ASA’s history. ASA has a total of 1,700 pilots, all based in Atlanta.

The company has already offered voluntary retirements and voluntary leaves across the company. Modolo said ASA is not furloughing employees other than pilots.

The furloughs at ASA come after Delta announced plans to cut its capacity by 6 percent to 8 percent in 2009 and shrink its work force through buyouts. As a Delta Connection carrier, ASA is affected by Delta’s cutbacks in its flying.

David Nieuwenhuis, chairman of the ASA group of the Air Line Pilots Association union, said the pilots may be on furlough for at least a year, though that could change.

The ASA pilots union is working with the union’s national office to help find jobs for furloughed pilots, such as at other carriers, charter operations or overseas operations, Nieuwenhuis said.

The pilots’ contract protects pilots from furlough if they were hired by the date it was signed in November 2007, Nieuwenhuis said.

ASA also announced it is adding 10 CRJ-900 regional jets to its fleet this spring and will stop flying 20 CRJ-200s for Delta next year. ASA also retired 12 ATR-72 turboprops from its fleet last year. ASA now operates 110 CRJ-200s and 39 CRJ-700s.

The addition of the CRJ-900s “significantly reduced” the number of pilots furloughed, Modolo said.

The 76-seat CRJ-900s were originally ordered by Delta for Delta Connection carrier Freedom Airlines to operate, but Delta is terminating that contract.

ASA said it may sublease the affected 50-seat CRJ-200s or use some of them in a revenue-sharing arrangement with Delta. Delta is shifting toward using fewer of the less-efficient 50-seat regional jets.

Delta spokesman Kent Landers said the CRJ-900s, which have a first-class section, “offer a higher level of service.”