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Oct. 30--An announcement of staffing and flight cutbacks by one of two commercial carriers serving Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is not expected to hurt operations or service in the area.

U.S. Airways announced a smaller-than-expected, third-quarter loss on Wednesday, but its chairman and chief executive said the company still plans to cut about 1,000 of its 32,400 employees and cut flights to some destinations. That plan puts more focus on domestic hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia and Phoenix.

"We're comfortable and don't see any adverse effect," said Tom Braaten, director of Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in Craven County.

A US Airways spokesperson in Charlotte said Thursday that since Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is served by wholly owned subsidiaries, Piedmont and PSA airlines, the announced staff cuts do no affect employees working here.

"I had advance warning from US Airways of the press release," Braaten said. "We talked about it and don't see any affect on us."

"I was glad to see they said over and over again they are focusing on their domestic hubs," he said. "Charlotte can only fly so many if we don't bring them there. As long as people continue to use the airport, it is good for Charlotte and good for the company."

Passenger traffic in and out of Coastal Carolina Regional Airport was up in 2009 in July, August and September, compared to traffic during those same months in 2008.