Delta lays off some corporate workers to cut costs

Delta Air Lines is cutting some corporate jobs in an effort to cut costs as the industry grapples with higher expenses such as for fuel and labor.

“While we’re not yet back to full capacity, now is the time to make adjustments to programs, budgets and organizational structures across Delta to meet our stated goals — one part of this effort includes adjustments to corporate staffing in support of these changes,” Delta said in a statement to CNBC. “These decisions are never made lightly but always with care and respect for our impacted team members and the Delta family.”

Delta didn’t specify how many jobs it is cutting but a spokesman said that they are a “small adjustment” to corporate and management positions. Airline workers like pilots or flight attendants are not affected by the cuts, the spokesman said.

Delta and other carriers hired thousands of workers as travel demand bounced back in the later stages of the pandemic. Atlanta-based Delta had about 95,000 full-time equivalent employees as of the end of 2022, up from 83,000 at the end of 2021, according to annual company reports.

The airline had successfully encouraged thousands of employees to take buyout packages during the pandemic when demand dried up.

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