US EXPRESS giant UPS is laying off more than 260 pilots, 84 of them based in Anchorage, Alaska, reports the local TV channel KTUU, an NBC News affiliate.

Speculation is rife that there will be more layoffs from other carriers because new aircraft like the 777 can fly non-stop from Hong Kong to Memphis, skipping the usual Anchorage refueling stop.

"We have 300 more pilots than we need to run our airline right now," said UPS spokesman Mike Mangeot.

While layoffs are company-wide, the bulk of them hit Alaska because many junior cargo pilots are based there.

Said UPS pilot Will Goolsby: "I left a major airline carrier to come to work for UPS and feel misled and betrayed that we're being let go now, especially since it appears cargo and shipping is up. I'm just a little confused."

Atlanta-based UPS, which employs 2,819 pilots, said it tried - but failed - to deal with the pilots union on concessions to reduce layoffs.

Source: shipping online