Delta reduces schedule to save on fuel costs

ATLANTA -- Delta Air Lines Inc., buffeted by high fuel costs in the wake of Katrina and Rita, yesterday said it is reducing its domestic flight schedule.

The Atlanta-based carrier isn't experiencing a shortage of jet fuel, but is conserving energy, it said.

Delta spokeswoman Chris Kelly said it's impossible to say exactly how many flights will be reduced because it will depend on travel each day.

The reductions will be minimal, though, affecting early morning and late-night flights that have low bookings, Kelly said. Flights are more likely to be cut on Tuesday or Wednesdays rather than on busier travel days such as Friday, Sunday, and Monday.

Delta will notify affected passengers a few days in advance and will try to offer them choices about rescheduling flights, Kelly said. The company has no end date for the flight reductions. International flights will not be affected since it would be harder to accommodate passengers with other flights on those routes, she said.

An airline industry expert said Delta's move came as no surprise when other airlines also have been curbing flights. American Airlines on Friday said it was temporarily cutting flights from two hubs. American, owned by AMR Corp., cited high jet fuel prices.