Transforming Delta Air Lines

Fifty-one percent of the company's network will be restructured by Jan. 31, 2005, the "largest single-day schedule transformation in Delta's history," according to Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein.

Systemwide, Delta plans to cut 6,000 to 7,000 jobs over the next 18 months, enact widespread pay cuts for remaining employees and increase employees' responsibility for health-care costs.

Delta will "de-hub" its Dallas/Fort Worth operation and redeploy those assets to grow operations in Salt Lake City, Cincinnati and Atlanta.

The airline will add 58 total flights to its Salt Lake City schedule, including 13 added nonstop destinations and 37 Delta Connection flights.

Dallas/Fort Worth will be drastically pared back, from its current schedule of 254 total flights to 21 as of February 2005. It will eliminate its Delta Connection service from that city (it currently operates 202 flights).

Delta's growth plan also includes increasing international service, including service to China; expanding Song, its regional carrier; improving West Coast flying through partnerships; expanding Florida service; and growing its operations in New York and Boston.

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