Delta to suspend service to nearly a dozen US airports starting next week

Delta Air Lines announced Friday that it is suspending service to 10 U.S. airports where it also services a nearby airport until at least September in an attempt to consolidate its flights in metro areas.

“Building on the numerous health and safety measures Delta has implemented in recent weeks to protect our customers and employees, we will temporarily consolidate our operations in several markets served by multiple airports beginning May 13 while customer volume is significantly reduced,” the company said in an announcement. 

“These changes will allow more of our frontline employees to minimize their COVID-19 exposure risk while ensuring convenient access to Delta’s network for those who must travel,” it continued. “Delta will continue providing essential service to impacted communities via neighboring airports.”

Delta said it is halting flights to Chicago Midway; Oakland International Airport; Hollywood Burbank; Long Beach; Providence, R.I., Westchester County Airport; Stewart International; Akron-Canton, Ohio; Manchester, N.H. and Newport News/Williamsburg.

Delta also said it is cutting flights by 85 percent in the second quarter, including an 80 percent reduction in domestic capacity and a 90 percent cut internationally, and is looking to take similar measures in other markets.

“The safety of our employees and customers remains our primary focus as we navigate these challenges together,” said Sandy Gordon, Senior Vice President of Domestic Airport Operations. “By consolidating operations while customer traffic is low, we can allow more of our people to stay home in accordance with local health guidelines.”

Delta is just the latest airline to try to cut costs as the industry takes a significant financial hit during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Transportation Department announced this week that JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines can stop some of its flights through the end of September. JetBlue will be permitted to halt flights to 16 U.S. cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Seattle and Las Vegas, while Spirit can cease its flights into six airports, including those in Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis and Seattle.