Delta’s Comair to Lay Off 2,000 Workers

Delta Air Lines Inc.’s Comair commuter airline said it will lay off about 2,000 employees, or 37% of its work force, because of a strike by pilots that has grounded the carrier since March 26. The layoffs, which take effect May 13, cover about half of all employees other than pilots at the second-biggest U.S. regional airline. A federal agency reconvened talks between Comair and the union for its 1,400 pilots Wednesday for the first time since the walkout began. The company and the Air Line Pilots Assn. are at odds over pay and retirement benefits. Comair said 75% of the layoffs will be made in the carrier’s home city of Cincinnati, with 15% in Orlando, Fla. Comair plans to call employees back to work as needed. The carrier employs about 5,400 people. The commuter carrier, which mainly serves Cincinnati, has canceled flights through May 26. Delta shares rose 48 cents to close at $44.52 on the NYSE.