Delta Air Lines plans to
"adjust flying" in 24 small U.S. markets, 16 of which are subsidized
by the Essential Air Service program, according to a notification to the
Department of Transportation. Delta would continue service to the affected EAS
communities "until the DOT selects a replacement carrier and appropriate
funding is available."
Impacted markets include small airports
in Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota and South
Dakota. Delta claimed $14 million in
annual losses from serving such markets. As the carrier retires Saab
turboprops and some 50-seat jets, doing
so would become even more costly, the carrier noted.
Delta's notification gives
DOT the "opportunity to select a new carrier to begin service in affected
EAS communities within a 90-day period." If DOT does not find other
carriers to serve the EAS markets in that time, Delta would be "entitled
to receive compensation" to cover the cost of the services, according to
the carrier.
The average load factor for
the 24 impacted markets is 52 percent, ranging from a 12 percent load factor
for Thief River Falls, Minn., services to a 65 percent load
factor for Butte, Mont., according to Delta. The carrier's domestic systemwide load factor is 83 percent.
"Delta will offer
customers booked for travel in these markets alternative transportation choices
or refunds," according to a carrier statement. "Delta will reach out
to customers who have provided full contact information in their reservations
to arrange alternate transportation or refunds."