Alaska Airlines To Whack Capacity

Alaska Airlines today said it plans to reduce capacity by 8 percent beginning Nov. 9, representing 15 percent fewer departures in this year's winter schedule compared with the same period last year.

Although the cost of oil has slipped in recent weeks, Alaska cited historically high fuel costs and a softening economy. The carrier said it would achieve the capacity cuts by cutting some less popular flights on Saturdays and holidays, trimming frequencies from some of its larger markets, using smaller aircraft on some routes and killing some seasonal leisure service.

The carrier also expects to reduce its workforce by up to 10 percent this year, including 80 previously announced management positions. Alaska today said it also would eliminate up to 1,000 operational positions, including pilots, flight attendants and reservation agents.

Sister carrier Horizon Air also is planning capacity cuts during the fourth quarter, slimming available seat miles by about 20 percent compared with the same period last year, the carrier said.