COVID-19 Casualty: Delta [Connection] Wants to Drop Peoria.


Delta Connection may end its Peoria service shortly. 

Or not. The carrier has petitioned the United States Department of Transportation to remove service to Peoria and eight other airports. The petition is required due to the carrier receiving aid through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Those airlines which have accepted aid from this act must maintain minimum levels of service. 

The Peoria Journal Star ran a story April 28 noting the carrier's request to reduce service to less than five-days-a-week. Airlines have canceled most flights and parked their planes. Some fleet types are being retired much earlier than planned. Delta Air Lines and other carriers expect to emerge as smaller companies when stay-at-home restrictions end.

The good news is that most petitions to drop service are getting denied. United [Express] apparently tried earlier in April, but was denied, according to the article. 

- David P. Jordan

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