ATLANTA — Delta Airlines is suing its regional carriers over canceled flights caused by a suspected pilot shortage.
According to the lawsuit, it’s costing Delta millions of dollars.
The airline is taking aim at both Republic Airways and Shuttle America, which operate small regional flights for Delta all over America. Delta says the airlines are inconveniencing its customers.
“We try to avoid them but usually it’s when we fly Charlotte to Columbia, it will be a carrier of Delta and it’s canceled a lot. We try to avoid those flights if they can,” one passenger said.
The Atlanta-based airline giant filed a lawsuit recently moved to federal court against the two carriers claiming they breached their contract by causing Delta to cancel flights and rework schedules, which is costing Delta millions of dollars in lost revenue.
An aviation expert Channel 2's Rachel Stockman spoke with says the pilot shortage is due, in part, to the fact that regional pilots are now required to have 1,500 hours of flight experience.
The increase is a result of safety concerns following the 2009 regional plane crash in Buffalo, New York, where 50 people were killed.
Airline passengers say while the cancellations are inconvenient, the increased regulation makes them feel more comfortable.
Republic Airways denies it breached its contract with Delta and has filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed.
Story and video: http://www.wsbtv.com
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