Airline to close station at JWA

US Airways will close a maintenance station at John Wayne Airport early next year as the airline slashes routes and lays off employees to plug the airline’s massive losses over the past year, the company announced this week.

The airline lost about $800 million last year and is expected to report another large loss in 2009.

US Airways will relocate the airline mechanics that work at the John Wayne station to different airports around the country as part of a new restructuring plan.

Other changes the airline announced this week include laying off about 1,000 workers during the first half of 2010, including an estimated 600 airport passenger and ramp service positions; 200 pilot positions; and about 150 flight attendant positions, according to a news release.

— Brianna Bailey