Delta Air Lines on Sunday downplayed any connection between this weekend's aborted takeoff that left two dead and massive cutbacks the carrier has implemented to reduce costs.
Delta Flight 1288 experienced engine failure in Pensacola, Fla., on Saturday, killing two people and injuring seven others after pieces of the engine ripped into the passenger cabin."The cost-cutting has nothing to do with the safety of the airline," Delta spokesman Bill Berry said at a news conference Sunday.
Since 1994, the Atlanta-based airline has been involved in an ambitious three-year campaign to slice $2 billion - about 15 percent - from its costs. About 12,000 jobs have been cut.
Delta management also took to using outside contractors and it reduced food service on many flights.
In recent months, Delta officials acknowledged the cuts were too deep and have rehired many mechanics, pilots, flight attendants and customer service agents.
"Accidents are going to happen," said Ray Neidl, an airline analyst for the investment firm Furman Selz. "This should have no significant impact on Delta. Delta is still a premium airline despite some criticisms following the cost-cutting."
Industry watchers said the mishap could draw negative publicity to the carrier prior to the Olympics, but it should not hurt them in the long term.
Delta is experiencing one of its best financial years, pulling in record numbers of passengers and the carrier is expected to earn around $400 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, compared with more than $2 billion lost from 1991 to 1994, analysts said.
"USAir had five accidents in four or five years and they've had no major difficulty getting people to fly them," said Morten Beyer, a McLean, Va.-based aviation consultant.