Grand Aire Express lays off 40 employees

11/17/2001

Grand Aire Express, an air cargo and charter carrier at Toledo Express Airport, laid off 40 employees this week in response to declining business, especially from the automotive sector, said Matt Zaleski, a former company spokesman, who was among those laid off.

The move reduces the Grand Aire's staff to 140, down from 250 about 13 months ago. The layoffs included pilots and others, Mr. Zaleski said. Company executives did not return repeated phone calls for comment.

It was unclear yesterday whether the layoffs would affect the company's tax abatements. It received a 60 percent county tax abatement starting in July, 1998, based on pledges that included employing about 240 people. James Hartung, president of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, said he had not heard from company leaders.