Delta Airlines owned regional carrier Comair will cease operations on Sept. 29.
Delta says it will replace many of the current 50 seat aircraft with more mainline equipment but that regional aircraft are still important. Many of those flights are contracted out to other carriers flying under the Delta Connection banner.
Delta insists passengers should not have a problem but it will be a major economic blow to the Cincinnati area where Comair is based. About 1600 people are expected to lose their jobs.
The dissolution of ownership between major carriers and their regional affiliates is not precedented at Delta. American Airlines, currently operating under bankruptcy, is looking for ways to part with its regional carrier, American Eagle.
Comair operates Canadair regional jets with the majority being the 50 seat CRJ100. It also has one of the oldest regional jet fleets in the industry.
On a side note, when Delta merged wtih Northwest, it also acquired two other regional airline companies, Compass and Mesaba. Both continue to operate.