More than 600 Delta Air Lines’ planes will sit idle, as CEO Ed Bastion described the downsizing as a partial shutdown for the airline.
The massive number of jets being parked is more than double the number it said it would ground only a few days earlier.
"As we draw down our operation, I know how painful it is to essentially hit the ‘pause button’ on so many things that are core to what we do for our customers," Bastion said, calling the coronavirus crisis a ‘dark moment.’
Delta now plans to cut 70% of its flight and March revenues are likely to plunge by $2 billion.
The situation is just as grave for United Airlines.
It is extending cancellations to 60% of all scheduled flights.
It will suspend 70 routes in April.
United monthly revenues will sink by about $1.5 billion.
