Delta Air Lines will shut down its Comair subsidiary as it cuts back on low-margin regional flying.
Delta said Comair, which serves midwest and east coast hubs, will cease operations after September 29.
"While regional flying has and will remain a key component of Delta's network, customer expectations and the unit costs of regional flying have evolved," Don Bornhorst, senior vice president of Delta Connection, said in a memo to employees.
The shutdown will not result in major changes to Delta's network, the company said.
Comair had about 1,700 employees as of March, according to its website.
Cincinnati-based Comair accounts for about 1 percent of Delta's network capacity. Its fleet is comprised entirely of Bombardier's 50-, 65- and 76-seat Regional Jets.
Atlanta-based Delta recently said it plans to reduce the number of 50-seat regional jets from about 350 to 125 or fewer in the next few years.
