Story ID: 
Delta To Ground 30 CRJs
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: Delta Air Lines will ground at least 30 Delta Connection Bombardier CRJs this year as it moves to execute “synergies” associated with its merger with North
Word Count: 129
Delta Air Lines will ground at least 30 Delta Connection Bombardier CRJs this year as it moves to execute “synergies” associated with its merger with Northwest Airlines. During today’s first-quarter earnings call, Delta executives would not talk about which regional partners will feel the effects, but emphasized the move’s “minimal impact” on staffing given the scope of its regional network, which now includes the former Northwest Airlink partners Pinnacle Airlines, Compass Airlines and Mesaba Airlines as well as six Delta Connection carriers.Delta announced the move as part of a wider capacity cut that will see it close its dedicated freighter operation with the grounding of 14 Boeing 747-200 freighters on December 31. All told, it plans to slash “between 40 and 50” mainline airplanes, including several Boeing 757s and MD-88s.