Delta Deferring Orders for Boeing Planes

Delta Air Lines Inc. said that it is deferring its remaining orders for new Boeing 777 planes because of a standoff in negotiations with its pilots union. Delta began flying two of the wide-body jets May 1, but has already canceled four orders because of a lack of agreement with pilots who are seeking up to $319 an hour to fly the planes, based on their revenue-generating potential. A total of 11 orders have now been halted, Delta said. The Atlanta-based carrier said it won’t be able to schedule 777 flights after Nov. 1 because of union rules that allow the pilots to refuse to fly a new plane after six months without an agreement. Delta said its winter flight schedule must be ready by around Aug. 1. “We still hope to reach an agreement with our pilots, but we cannot risk a disruption to our customers and we have to be economically feasible,” a Delta spokeswoman said. Delta shares fell 25 cents to close at $57 on Nasdaq.