By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-867909.mp3
Dallas, TX –
The parent company of American Airlines, AMR, will close its Kansas City maintenance base by this time next year, cutting some 700 jobs. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports.
A letter to workers in Kansas City says with route cuts and the fleet shrinking from 900 to 600 planes, the maintenance and engineering base there will be closed by September of next year. Smaller operations will also close, including San Jose and Detroit. The carrier will offer compensation packages to eligible employees in Kansas City and also St. Louis, which is downsizing but closing completely.
The company says it's struggling with the recession's long term impact on travel and the corresponding loss of maintenance business American performs on competitor's planes.