Lufthansa will reduce the workforce, including management, at its CityLine subsidiary by 20% (500 positions) by 2010 and cull 14 CRJ200s from the regional's fleet of 72 aircraft, an LH spokesperson confirmed yesterday to ATWOnline.

The company hopes to make the cuts without layoffs and will try to offer displaced workers positions elsewhere with Lufthansa Group.

Last year LH placed an order for 15 CRJ900s for CityLine and took over Swiss International Air Lines' order for 30 E-190s (ATWOnline, April 18, 2007). LH subsidiary Air Dolomiti will take the first E-190, with the distribution of the remaining aircraft unannounced. CityLine transported 7.3 million passengers last year, approximately 10% of LH's total.

Good luck and let's hope no furloughs.