Delta Air Lines informed its workers Friday that it will cut its flights by 40% over the coming months because demand has decreased due to the coronavirus. The drop in flights is the largest in the company’s history, including flight cancellations that occurred after 9/11.
In a letter to workers, CEO Ed Bastian said that “demand for travel is declining at an accelerated pace daily … with net bookings now negative for travel over the next four weeks.”
The airline will also eliminate flights to continental Europe for 30 days, a cancellation that could be extended.
Bastian stressed that the situation is fluid and that more critical decisions will be made in the coming days. He also called on workers to take voluntary leave “that works for you and your family.”
Despite the bad news, Delta’s stock closed up Friday over 13%.
House Democrats are rushing to pass legislation aiding workers idled by the pandemic, negotiating with the White House.
