Delta [Connection] Gets Approval to Drop Peoria! UPDATED

Delta Connection can drop Peoria from its network. 

The Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Adjustments to Service Obligations on May 12, which states - 

On May 12, 2020, the Department issued the Notice allowing Covered Carriers to request exemptions from their Service Obligation up to five percent of the points of their service obligation, or five points, whichever is greater, subject to certain conditions. The Notice directed Covered Carriers to submit prioritized lists of the points for which they wish to be granted an exemption. The Department explained that it would not grant an exemption to a Covered Carrier for a point if it would result in that point losing service from all Covered Carriers. The Notice also described how the Department would resolve conflicts should multiple Covered Carriers request an exemption for the same point where the Department could not grant all the requests. The Department reserved the right to deny an exemption request for a point if the exemption would result in inadequate capacity or connectivity to serve the point, as informed by the standards in the CARES Act3 or public interest considerations.

Carriers requesting adjustments to service were required to submit their requests by 5:00pm EDT on May 18. Fifteen carriers complied. All interested parties filing objections must have their statements on file with DOT by 5:00pm EDT on May 28. 

Airlines and affected cities in the Central Illinois region are listed below.

Allegiant Air (Springfield)

Delta [Connection] (Peoria)

Delta Connection had already eliminated Peoria - Minneapolis/St. Paul in April. Atlanta service will likely disappear shortly. The annoying thing is that Bloomington/Normal's Central Illinois Regional Airport keeps Delta Connection service to Atlanta! 

Hopefully, the move is temporary and service will be restored when demand returns. Unless goofy, and unnecessary rules (such as passengers being required to wear face masks for an indefinite period) are withdrawn, I don't see any hope, however, and the airline industry is in danger of permanent decline.

UPDATED (5-24-20): The Peoria Journal Star the news Saturday. The key is this:

"...Delta’s petition was classified as a suspension of service, not a termination. That indicates Delta’s Peoria flights would resume once the coronavirus ebbs and ticket sales resurge..."

- David P. Jordan