Delta Air Lines to extend 4Q2011 capacity cut into 1Q2012; United holding firm

Delta Air Lines will extend its planned 4% to 5% 4Q2011 cut in capacity into 1Q2012, according to president Ed Bastian. The carrier plans to reduce capacity by 2% to 3% for all of 2012.

Delta previously announced it would reduce its 4Q2011 capacity up to 5% with the largest reductions seen on its trans-Atlantic network, cutbacks to its Memphis hub and Japanese flights. Delta did not provide details on the 2012 service cuts.

United Continental chairman and CEO Jeff Smisek has meanwhile said the carrier will keep consolidated capacity during 2012 in line with 2011 levels. The company plans to offset a "modest decrease" in domestic capacity in 2012 with an increase in international services, Mr Smisek added.