From The Mississippi Link Newswire
Delta Air Lines recently announced that it plans to discontinue air service to 24 small markets. Delta Air Lines is pulling out its services in these areas because it reportedly lost $14 million in these markets. According to Delta, flights in these markets are, on average, only 52 percent full, with some being as low as 12 percent.
Just last week, Delta said they will cut direct flights from Gulfport to Memphis in January. But U.S. Airways is adding a flight from Gulfport to Charlotte, N.C. Jeremiah Gerald, director of air service for the Gulfport airport, tells The Sun Herald Delta announced months ago it would be making cuts all over the country, and loss of the Memphis flights is not too surprising. He said Delta likely can save money routing passengers through Atlanta instead.
Gerald said the service from Gulfport is scheduled to end Jan. 4.
As for the cuts announced earlier, each of these markets is in a small town, most of which are considered Essential Air Service markets. Three towns in Mississippi are affected by this decision. Greenville, Hattiesburg, and Tupelo will no longer be able to offer flights by Delta.
“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,” Delta said in a recent press release.
Many residents of Greenville and surrounding areas are concerned about what their flight options will be. Senator Roger Wicker is working to ensure that Delta residents won’t lose their airport.
“Reliable air service provides an important economic benefit for rural communities,” said Wicker. “I will continue working with Greenville and all of Mississippi’s airports to look at the best opportunities moving forward.”
Because the Mid-Delta Regional Airport is protected by the Essential Air Service (EAS), Delta gave the U.S. Department of Transportation a notification of 90 days so a replacement airline may be found. Delta has agreed to service the area through its Delta Connection partners until replacements are found. Heather McTeer, mayor of Greenville, urged residents not to panic.
“Patrons of our airport should know that we will continue to press Delta to reverse their stance on small community airports and at the same time, insure that the Mississippi Delta continue to have the air service we so vitally need,” said McTeer.
The Greenville airport was given an extension to find a new EAS subsidy. Greenville is one of seven airports to receive this extension.
However, the Senate failed to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Bill. This bill puts 4,000 American jobs in jeopardy, and it is needed to authorize appropriations through 2014.
“Rural community airports are an important part of this transportation system and this decision impacts us greatly. As a small town with an airport that serves an entire region, the failure to reauthorize the bill coupled with an attack on EAS and the discussion of Delta Airlines ending service to 24 communities is crippling to a critical part of rural America transportation,” said McTeer.
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