Posted on: Wednesday, July 18, 2001

Northwest closing Honolulu DC-10 pilot base

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Northwest Airlines notified the state yesterday that it will close its Honolulu base Oct. 31 for pilots flying McDonnell Douglas DC-10 jets. In a filing with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the airline said 180 pilots will be affected when the DC-10 base shuts down permanently.

In May, airline officials said the cost-saving move was in response to a softening market for trans-Pacific service. They estimated then the closure would mean new assignments for 120 pilots.

The airline will maintain its base here for Boeing 747 pilots. Dan Walters, flight operations director, said DC-10 pilots have options to transfer to 747 aircraft or shift to other bases in the Northwest system.