Reno Air to cut service, jobs

Thursday, March 12, 1998 | 9:37 a.m.

The Reno-based low-fare airline on Wednesday also said it is reducing its jet fleet from 30 to 28.

The airline will pull out of Albuquerque and Ontario, Calif., on April 1. Albuquerque had three daily nonstop flights to Las Vegas. Service to Ontario included two daily flights weekdays and one on Saturdays to Reno.

On May 4, Reno Air will cease its one daily flight between Reno and Detroit.

Reno Air spokeswoman Connie Huff said workers in those cities, plus the airline's hub centers in Reno and Las Vegas, will be affected.

Some will be reassigned within the company and others will lose their jobs, she said.

The cuts come on the heels of a poor financial year that was followed by a management shakeup.

The airline reported a loss of $12.3 million in 1997.

Last month, Robert Reding was replaced by retired United Airlines official Joseph O'Gorman as president and chief executive officer.

O'Gorman's top priority is to return the airline to profitability.

The cuts, especially to Detroit, are a blow to tourism officials who say nonstop air service to eastern destinations is crucial to Reno's efforts to attract new tourists and conventions.

"We're disappointed that we're going to lose that service, but Reno Air has cost and operational priorities that necessitate this," said Phil Keene, president and chief executive of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.

"Our long-term good will be served by their health and profitability. We stand with them in those kinds of decisions."