U.S. Airways To Eliminate 233 Jobs

U.S. Airways said Tuesday it will eliminate 233 jobs in 10 cities, including several in Columbus. Doug Parker, CEO of the Tempe, Ariz.-based carrier, wrote in a memo to employees that the cuts were sparked by “uncertain times marked by less business flying, fewer family vacations and rising unemployment.” The company said airports in Pittsburgh, Tucson, Ariz., and Las Vegas make up the majority of the cuts, but US Airways’ operations in Columbus will lose some jobs. Spokesman Morgan Durrant, in an e-mail response to Columbus Business First, declined to detail the number of reductions in Columbus but said 10 or fewer workers were affected.

Those workers will be offered jobs at other locations, Durrant said. Airways (NYSE:LCC) employs more than 32,000 workers, including about 100 ticket and gate agents and fleet service workers at Port Columbus International Airport. “This is an extremely difficult decision and one we did not take lightly,” Parker said in the memo to workers. “We have been proud that US Airways has managed through the recent industry turmoil and downsizing with fewer job reductions than many of our peers. That is still the case after this reduction, but that doesn’t make it any easier. “ The airline, the second-busiest at Port Columbus, announced in January it would cut domestic mainline capacity by 8 percent to 10 percent during the year. Total mainline capacity will be reduced 4 percent to 6 percent, the airline said. Parker said the company had hoped to avoid cuts by not filling open positions. US Airways didn’t rule out future reductions, but said in a statement it has “the right amount of flying for the current economic environment,” but will continue to “evaluate and adjust our operation as business conditions dictate.”