Flygermangel - USA

Strapped for pilots, Republic asks partners to reduce flights

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. is so short on pilots that it's asking major-airline partners to reduce its summer flying schedule.

The situation will mean less revenue for Indianapolis-based Republic, the company has said, and it could mean a noticeable lack of seats available from airports like Indianapolis International, where about 60 percent of flights are operated by regional contract carriers such as Republic.

"Essentially it would be less capacity," said James Clark, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 357, the union that represents 2,300 Republic pilots. "It could actually change the schedules."