 The airline had begun moving its hub operation from DFW Airport to Kansas City and Orlando as a result of the merger with Florida Express.Eastern Airlines had abandoned its large hub at Kansas City International Airport and Braniff was positioned to step in and take over two of the three circular terminals at the midwest airport.In September 1989, the airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, immediately laid off 2,700 of its 4,700 employees, and slashed its flight schedule from 256 flights to 40 destinations to 46 flights to 11 destinations.