AirTran plans job cuts

ATLANTA — AirTran Airways said it plans to cut 300 flight attendants and 180 pilots from its work force through voluntary exits and furloughs.

AirTran, which is based in Orlando and has its hub in Atlanta, said it plans to cut about $16 million from its annual costs through the pilot and flight attendant job cuts. AirTran has about 2,000 flight attendants and 1,450 pilots.

"It's a necessary step that's part of adapting to a more difficult economic environment," Kevin Healy, AirTran's senior vice president of marketing and planning, said Monday. "It is largely driven by fuel."

The company is offering the voluntary program to all employees with five years of seniority, with the exception of directors and officers. It will give extended health and travel benefits to employees who decide by July 31 to take an early exit.

If not enough flight attendants or pilots volunteer to leave, the airline said it would furlough workers Sept. 6 to meet the targeted cuts. Most of the job cuts will be in Atlanta because all of AirTran's pilots and most of its flight attendants are based in Atlanta.

AirTran, which has about 8,900 employees, also plans to reduce its work force in other areas of the company, although it expects early exits and attrition to "reduce or largely eliminate the need" for layoffs, according to Healy.

AirTran last week said it plans to cut employee pay by 5 percent to 15 percent, although it must negotiate with unions for pay cuts that affect its union-represented employees.

Kelly Yamanouchi writes for '); /* ]]> */