LOA 19 Frequently Asked Questions
9. Does LOA 19 permit more 76-seat RJs?
LOA 19 sets a cap for the number of 71-76 seat jets (“76-seaters”) by adding the number of 76-seaters permitted under our current contract and the number allowed under the Northwest pilot contract (since the combined mainline operation will be using express carrier aircraft from both Delta and Northwest). LOA 19 also contains a weight restriction change that allows for the operation of 36 EMB-175’s that Northwest either owns or has on order.
7. Does this agreement provide for even more RJs?
The total will not be any higher than the current total of combined limits in Delta and Northwest PWA’s. In fact, the ratio of RJ to mainline aircraft will be lower in the merged company than the existing ratio at Delta today. Consolidation will lead to less market fragmentation, which in the long run will create a need to up-gauge many domestic markets, lessening the need for many RJ’s. Currently, high fuel prices make it difficult to achieve profits using 50-seat RJ’s and we see a continued drive by Delta to reduce the use of those aircraft in the future.
Merge, cap, 50 seat RJ's reduced.
Now, increase cap and we'll let those 50 seaters go away.