Peoria Station

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 r...

Peoria's twice-daily Charlotte nonstops are getting bigger planes next year. Thanks to a tip from a commenter, I searched American Airlines' website and found that both roundtrips are being upgauge from 50-seat CRJ200s to 63- to 65-seat CRJ700s beginning February 14, 2019.  It is possible that the additional capacity was already planned as smaller regional jets are phased out, but competition might be another reason. Delta Air Lines schedules show 76-seat CRJ900s operating some Peoria-Atlanta roundtrips in November. I expect bigger jets on that route to compensate for the loss of Detroit flights late that month.  Whether due to competitive pressures or a scheduled phase-out of the older, smaller jets, any upgauge is good news for Peoria travelers.  PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2017 by David P. Jordan  - An American Eagle CRJ700 is shown July 29, 2017 on final approach to Chicago-O'Hare International Airport.   - David P. Jordan