ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines on Friday said it is planning to cut service to 24 smaller, under-performing markets, a move that will save the company millions of dollars.
“Flights in these markets on average depart with 52 percent of the seats filled, with some locations as low as 12 percent,” the company said in a news release announcing the move. “This compares to a domestic system load factor of 83 percent for 2010.”
The company said some flights have even flown without any passengers on board. The change will eliminate $14 million in annual loses on the flights to the smaller markets, the airline said.
“While Delta would prefer to continue serving these communities, the new reality of mounting cost pressures faced by our industry means we can no longer afford to provide this service,” the company said in its release. “As we continue to strengthen our business, Delta is retiring the Saab turboprops and some 50-seat jet aircraft, which will hinder the financial viability of serving these smaller markets.”
Airports affected by the decision are located nationwide and include Thief River Falls, Minn.; Aberdeen, S.D.; and Greenville, Miss. Delta offers the flights under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which provides airlines with subsidaries to fly to markets that might otherwise not have passenger air service.
