Delta plans to reduce carrying capacity

ATLANTA (AP) - Delta Air Lines says in a new regulatory filing that it plans to reduce its planned carrying capacity because demand for seats has slowed down.

Spokeswoman Betsy Talton said Delta still plans to add the 15 new international routes it announced Nov. 12, but the company will continue to monitor performance.

It’s unclear if future capacity reductions mean a net reduction in international capacity next year or simply smaller growth. When the new overseas routes were announced, a Delta executive told reporters that overall international capacity in 2009 would be slightly larger than in 2008, while overall domestic capacity would be slightly smaller.

The Atlanta-based airline says it will give more details about its outlook in early December.