American Airlines pledges no flight cuts at Reno for at least a year

RENO, Nev. - Worried that American Airlines would cut flights in and out of Reno after absorbing Reno Air, local airport officials said Monday they've received assurances that won't happen at least through next year.

Airline officials said some flight schedules may change.

But they confirmed for the Washoe County Airport Authority they expect to maintain the current level of service to Reno-Tahoe International Airport through the end of 2000, authority spokesman Adam Mayberry said.

''This is great news,'' said John Farahi, chairman of the authority's Air Service Task Force.

''Since American's announcement almost a year ago, there has been widespread speculation on what the airline would do at Reno-Tahoe once it absorbed Reno Air. We can breathe a little easier,'' he said.

Including the old Reno Air routes, American now has 31 daily flights at Reno-Tahoe International.