Delta Makes Cuts at Memphis

Posted 11/10/2011

The latest update to Delta Air Lines’ Northern Winter is expected to confirm speculation that the airline is to reduce its activities at Memphis.  It is suggested that with effect from January 4, 2012 the US major will cancel seven routes and reduce schedules in six other markets, reducing daily services from 164 to 149. 

The routes to close are expected to comprise: Baltimore, Grand Rapids, Gulfport, Mobile, Panama City / Northwest Florida, Seattle and Wichita.  All these markets are served on a daily basis, with more than one daily rotation also offered to Baltimore and Mobile.  Delta Air Lines is the only operator on all seven of these routes so passengers will be forced to seek alternative flights via other hub airports.

Service reductions will also take place on routes Cleveland, Huntsville, Newark and Shreveport, which will now be served daily rather than twice daily, while Jacksonville and Philadelphia will be flown twice a day rather than three times daily at present.

Delta Air Lines revealed earlier this year that it would cut capacity at Memphis International Airport to streamline its business and make its operation more efficient.  It has blamed fuel price volatility and the need to retire some of its 50-seat regional jets from service as the primary reasons behind the cut-backs.  The airline is by far the largest operator at the US airport with almost 85,000 seats available every day, 81.0 per cent of the total seat capacity.  Its network reduction could present an opportunity for a new entrant to fly from Memphis.

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