Alaska Air to trim flights and staff

SEATTLE, July 24 (UPI) -- Alaska Airlines said it lost it $14.1 million in the second quarter of 2008 and would reduce staff by 5 percent and passenger capacity by as much as 10 percent.

The moves will "help us survive what is shaping up to be the most difficult period in commercial aviation history," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Air Group Bill Ayer said, The Seattle Times reported.

Alaska Group's Horizon Airlines has trimmed staff by 13 percent this year. Both Alaska and Horizon will also raise revenues through fees and increased fare rates, the report said.

In the Times' report Ayer said, "skyrocketing fuel prices have eclipsed the improvements we've worked so hard to achieve in every area of our business."