Flight attendants at bankrupt ATA Airlines have ratified a collective bargaining deal extending wage, benefit and work rule concessions already in place, the carrier said on Tuesday.

The concessions were put in place initially in October 2004, but negotiations began in August 2005 on lengthening the contract. The deal becomes amendable on October 31, 2008.

The airline's flight attendants are represented by the Association of Flight Attendants.

ATA, which filed for bankruptcy last year, has been cutting routes in an effort to save money. The carrier even eliminated service to and from its home town of Indianapolis.

The airline industry in general has been battered by soaring fuel costs and stiff competition. Several large US carriers have responded by reducing labor costs and cutting capacity.