Delta Air Lines happy with pilot contract rules for regional flights: CE

Delta Air Lines CE Ed Bastian said Friday he was satisfied with pilot contract language governing the outsourcing of regional flights and does not see it becoming an issue during upcoming negotiations. Bastian said he was "happy” with existing" scope clauses which set guidelines on the size of planes that can be operated by regional feeder carriers, among other things. Commercial planemakers are closely watching for any change in pilot scope clauses, which bar planes heavier than 39,000 kg with more than 76 seats from regional routes, where pilots are generally paid less than their mainline counterparts. Pilots are fiercely opposed to any changes. Delta's contract with its pilots becomes amendable in 2019. The 110-seat narrowbody aircraft will serve as a "cornerstone of domestic growth,” Bastian said. <br/>