Delta extends deadline for Comair to bid on regional contracts

<p>Delta Air Lines Inc. has agreed to extend the deadline for its Comair subsidiary to bid on regional jet service as Comair continues to cope with the crash of Flight 5191 that killed 49 people, Comair's top executive said on Thursday.</p><p>Comair President Don Bornhorst said he asked Atlanta-based Delta to extend the Sept. 18 deadline it had set for bids for some of its regional jet service, much of which is now handled by Comair. Bornhorst said that Delta has agreed to give Comair until Oct. 2 to submit its proposal.</p><p>The jet crashed Sunday morning while the pilot tried to take off from Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky. An investigation into the crash has raised numerous questions about human error.</p><p>Bornhorst said the company is concentrating on helping families of the crash victims and investigators and supporting its employees.</p><p>"The additional time will allow us to keep our focus for now exactly where it should be," Bornhorst said.</p><p>Delta said Aug. 22 that it had requested proposals from Comair and other regional airlines for operating up to 143 of its regional jets, including up to 43 70-seat jets and as many as 50 50-seat jets.</p><p>Delta's executive vice president of operations, Joe Kolshak, said the airline was requesting proposals because it needs to cut costs as it restructures under bankruptcy protection. Comair also is operating under bankruptcy protection.</p><p>Comair, based across the river from Cincinnati in Erlanger, Ky., now has 27 of the 70-seat planes and some of the 50-seat planes.</p><p>A message seeking comment was left at Delta offices in Atlanta.</p>

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