Delta Air Lines today announced a partial hiring freeze among steps it’s taking to deal with soaring fuel costs.
Delta and other carriers are trying to manage the rising expense of fuel in their budgets. From a mid-January average price of $1.73 a gallon for fuel, the jump has been substantial--to an average $2.55 a gallon at the end of November.
Atlanta-based Delta says it’s holding-off on new hires for positions that are not face-to-face with the public, such as in office and administrative areas. A spokesperson says there will not be job cuts.
The airline also plans to reduce the number of flights for off-peak times on particular routes. Also, it will go ahead with the return of 13 leased jets from a fleet of around 450.
In a web-cast of an investors conference earlier today, Delta president Ed Bastian said its operating profit margins for the 4th quarter of this year, will come in flat or down 2-percent. Its earlier projections called for profits of 3-5 percent.
Delta and other carriers are trying to manage the rising expense of fuel in their budgets. From a mid-January average price of $1.73 a gallon for fuel, the jump has been substantial--to an average $2.55 a gallon at the end of November.
Atlanta-based Delta says it’s holding-off on new hires for positions that are not face-to-face with the public, such as in office and administrative areas. A spokesperson says there will not be job cuts.
The airline also plans to reduce the number of flights for off-peak times on particular routes. Also, it will go ahead with the return of 13 leased jets from a fleet of around 450.
In a web-cast of an investors conference earlier today, Delta president Ed Bastian said its operating profit margins for the 4th quarter of this year, will come in flat or down 2-percent. Its earlier projections called for profits of 3-5 percent.
