The U.S. Department of Transportation has tentatively given 15 U.S. airlines the approval to drop service to 62 airports.
The CARES Act requires that all airlines maintain service to all U.S. airports they served pre-COVID-19, but the DOT has begun to loosen that mandate. With demand weak, airlines have lobbied to secure service exemptions. The DOT has quietly agreed. While no airport will wholly lose service, many will be reduced to just one carrier.
Each U.S. airline will be allowed to shed 5% of its airports served or five airports, whichever is greater. Airlines had until May 18 to submit their choices. After reviewing the requests, the DOT tentatively approved the following service suspensions:
Alaska Airlines Suspensions
- Charleston, SC – (CHS)
- Columbus, OH – (CMH)
- El Paso, TX – (ELP)
- New Orleans, LA – (MSY)
- San Antonio, TX – (SAT)
Allegiant Air Suspensions
- New Orleans, LA – (MSY)
- Ogdensburg, NY – (OGS)
- Palm Springs, CA – (PSP)
- San Antonio, TX – (SAT)
- Springfield, IL – (SPI)
- Tucson, AZ – (TUS)
American Airlines Suspensions
- Aspen, CO – (ASE)
- Eagle, CO – (EGE)
- Montrose, CO – (MTJ)
- Worcester, MA – (ORH)
Cape Air Suspensions
- Portland, ME – (PWM)
Corvus Airlines / Era Aviation / Ravn Alaska Suspensions
- Goodnews Bay, AK – (GNU)
- Kodiak, AK – (ADQ)
- Napakiak, AK – (WNA)
- Napaskiak, AK – (PKA)
- Platinum, AK – (PTU)
Delta Air Lines Suspensions
- Aspen, CO – (ASE)
- Bangor, ME – (BGR)
- Erie, PA – (ERI)
- Flint, MI – (FNT)
- Fort Smith, AR – (FSM)
- Lincoln, NE – (LNK)
- New Bern/Morehead/Beaufort, NC – (EWN)
- Peoria, IL – (PIA)
- Santa Barbara, CA – (SBA)
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA – (AVP)
- Williston, ND – (XWA)
Elite Airways Suspensions
- Sarasota/Bradenton, FL – (SRQ)
Frontier Airlines Suspensions
- Greenville/Spartanburg, SC – (GSP)
- Mobile, AL – (MOB)
- Palm Springs, CA – (PSP)
- Portland, ME – (PWM)
- Tyler, TX – (TYR)
JetBlue Airways Suspensions
- Albuquerque, NM – (ABQ)
- Palm Springs, CA – (PSP)
- Sacramento, CA – (SMF)
- Sarasota/Bradenton, FL – (SRQ)
- Worcester, MA – (ORH)
Seaborne Virgin Islands Suspensions
- St. Thomas, VI – (STT)
- St. Croix, VI – (STX)
- Culebra, PR – (CPX)
- San Juan, PR – (SJU)
- Vieques, PR – (VQS)
Silver Airways Suspensions
- St. Thomas, VI – (STT)
- Huntsville, AL – (HSV)
- Key West, FL – (EYW)
- Tallahassee, FL – (TLH)
- Tampa, FL – (TPA)
Spirit Airlines Suspensions
- Asheville, NC – (AVL)
- St. Thomas, VI – (STT)
- St. Croix, VI – (STX)
- Greensboro/High Point, NC – (GSO)
- Plattsburgh, NY – (PBG)
Sun Air Express Suspensions
- Nashville, TN – (BNA)
Sun Country Airlines Suspensions
- Madison, WI – (MSN)
- Philadelphia, PA – (PHL)
- Portland, OR – (PDX)
- Sacramento, CA – (SMF)
- St. Louis, MO – (STL)
United Airlines Suspensions
- Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, PA – (ABE)
- St. Thomas, VI – (STT)
- Chattanooga, TN – (CHA)
- Fairbanks, AK – (FAI)
- Hilton Head, SC – (HHH)
- Ithaca/Cortland, NY – (ITH)
- Kalamazoo, MI – (AZO)
- Key West, FL – (EYW)
- Lansing, MI – (LAN)
- Myrtle Beach, SC – (MYR)
- Rochester, MN – (RST)
What Stands Out?
Most of the requested route suspensions are not surprising, but a few stood out. I’m surprised to see Alaska abandon San Antonio, Delta pull out of Santa Barbara, JetBlue leave Palm Springs, and Sun Country leave so many major cities.
Also of note, American’s new 29-mile intra-Colorado flight won’t last.
Any objections to these route reductions must be filed by May 28, 2020.
CONCLUSION
Interesting that this decision was released on a Friday evening just ahead of a long holiday weekend. The CARES Act required airlines to maintain all service in order to receive taxpayer funding. Slowly, this mandate is being whittled away. While that may be the best course of action considering low loads, it once again calls into question the value taxpayers received in exchange for a huge infusion of direct aid. I’m sure the reduced competition won’t help already-rising flight prices…
The JetBlue PSP is the one that will impact me personally. Looks like PSP is taking a hit in general.
Service to Palm Springs is seasonal for most carriers – they were all mostly ending service at the end of March. However, because Congress used the March flying schedules, the DOT initially made no exceptions and were forcing carriers to continue serving a city they normally would not serve in the summer. The act isn’t being whittled down, they are just adjusting to more realistic requirements
Although Palm Springs does have a season, we have visitors and conventions here all year long. It can’t really be defined as a seasonal destination anymore. I know. I live here and work in the service industry. Get your story straight.
Calm down, Jerry. Nobody cares.
PSP have a lot of conventions going on right now?
Surprised MSY is not on the list more than 2 times. MSY’s bread and butter are conventions (September-November) and those are all canceled. Also, the city itself (NOLA) is in a complete state of disarray..economically, politically, and financially.
American Airlines doesn’t take kindly to skiers.
Those are seasonal airports. AA will resume service during its regular service period.
Service to Palm Springs is seasonal for only a couple of airlines not most. Although we do have a season we have conventions and people visiting and flying in here all year round. It’s not like the old days where the valley would basically be abandoned by tourists in the summer. We are an all year round destination! I know, I live here.
AA didn’t suspend service to Palm Springs. Jesus, Jerry, you’re becoming unhinged about this! 🙂
Nope, This is just the tip of the iceberg for AA. They are preparing for a Major dumping of markets and flights Oct. 1. All others will follow suit, The old days of cheap flights and multiple flights a day to same destination is over for at least 3-5 years. After Oct. 1 deadline the layoffs and downsizing will take full effect. This according to several airline CEOs to employees.
Same point. How many ski lodges are open right now?
I see that SY is suespending service in MSN. O am a worker there i showed them this article and said we will by flying. Can i ask were the info came from
Directly from DOT. Link is above in story.
Silver airlines shows service suspended to St Thomas and San Juan for Seaborne their sister company. My question is if this was released last Friday why did they allow us to book a flight for july 24 san Juan to St Thomas. Im on phone with Silver Airlines and they jave no clue about this
I’m curious why AA ended up shedding far fewer airports than either UA or DL. Also, did Southwest shed any cities?
Wait until Oct. 1. There will be major announcements from airlines, after the Bailout Agreements ends.
Eliminating so much service to the USVI (Saint Croix and Saint Thomas) and to Puerto Rico is another slap in the face of the Americans who live, work and recreate here.
What really stands out is Southwest isn’t cutting any cities.
No Southwest Airlines suspensions?
We had to cancel our STJ trip in April, but were hoping to reschedule in the fall, if we could do so safely for us and the island inhabitants… I hope we have the option.
My thoughts exactly……
Any idea when this takes effect? I’m scheduled to fly on the AA EGE-ASE-MTJ-DFW flight a few times this week from/to Colorado and as of now AA hasn’t cancelled my flights.
Also, I know in June AA was planning on dropping the above flight and resuming non-stop service to ASE & EGE. Is that not happening anymore?
Plan will be effective 01 June through at least 30 September.
I clicked on your link in article. Its a Beta site. When I go to the actual DOT, there is no mention of this. Please fact check and post correct links.
It’s there.
Click on the “2020-5-5 Order to Show Cause” link the attachment box and a .pdf document will open.
Seaborne/Silver basically scuttling their Caribbean operation in San Juan PR…that is huge…how did you miss that?
I just quoted the linked memo from DOT.
Sun Country is owned by Apollo. Free cash flow is a priority. They don’t care about anything else.
Jerry
PSP deserves better! Sonny Bono is surely spinning in his grave.
You last written words about the Cares Act being whittled away by the airlines is not much of a surprise. This is what happens in every industry that receives bailouts from the taxpayers. There is nobody to monitor the cash given to these companies. Write a check, and kiss the money adios.
You’d prefer they burn fuel flying empty airplanes? The purpose of the “free” money was no layoffs till October, they’ve met that .
There were 2 purposes to this section of the CARES Act, both laudable. First to protect jobs and second to protect air service to as many cities as possible.
I expect more of these cuts ahead too.
Some are fighting for survival, losing huge amounts of money each day they’re grounded. Once it opens up, the amount of customers open to flying will be greatly reduced.
I assume they need a certain fill rate for a flight route to be profitable, so I expect more cuts.
This also isn’t an administration that enforces the strings attached with money
Another big blow to the USVI. LeaveS only Cape Air (Cessna) to connect to PR. And only Delta and American main line service which has already been reduced to one flight a day with no service by American on Saturdays!
Another big blow to the USVI. Leaves only Cape Air (Cessna 402) to connect to PR. Since Seaborne/Silver Hubs out of PR this must be “game over” for them. And with only Delta and American main line service which has already been reduced to one flight a day with no service by American on Saturdays!
So upset as we already have so limited airlines and flight options. St Croix was so happy to see Spirit come in to give us economy flights. This decision will really hurt!!!
I have a credit from Spirit as I live in St Croix and they left before I could use it. If they’re not coming back then my credit is useless
Spirit update
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article243229146.html
Why did American only received 4 route cuts? Seems so low compared with UA/DL
Because americans load factors are going up faster than other airlines.
Dropping the ski city flights was a good idea as noone is skiing go noone on the flights.
Dropping of these flights by airlines is a good thing. They are making the most efficient use of the funds that they received. No reason to waste $ on flights that are empty.
Delta announced earlier this week that they were pulling out of Midway here in Chicago.
Correct. I covered that earlier:
https://liveandletsfly.com/delta-consolidates-metro-flights/
Sun Country received a judgement that allowed them to bring their schedule down to only six flights a week comprised of MCO, LAS, PHX, and RSW since many of their routes were already covered by other airlines. They have not taken full advantage of this and are flying to a number of additional cities. I have personally flown flights to ANC and LAX which were not on the list. MSN is not on that list, but flights are scheduled. Possibly this source is not accurate or does not take into account that airlines will fly these routes if they can. We are all looking forward to life after COVID when routes can return to normal.
Matthew. Not sure where you’re getting your information about Delta Air Lines. Their wholly-owned subsidiary, Endeavor Air, still has service, though not daily, to many of those cities listed.
Bangor, ME – (BGR)
Erie, PA – (ERI)
Flint, MI – (FNT)
Fort Smith, AR – (FSM)
Lincoln, NE – (LNK)
New Bern/Morehead/Beaufort, NC – (EWN)
Peoria, IL – (PIA)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA – (AVP)
Correct, but these will shortly be dropped.
What Stands Out?
Southwest. Not on the list?
It could be that Southwest was just late to make its requests, but I hope not!
United leaving Lansing, Michigan (LAN). My first flight ever was on United between Lansing-Capital City Airport and Chicago-O’Hare Intl Airport, with a stop in Muskegon. It was on a DC-6. The seats felt like sofas, and only a few people were on the plane.
Stupid question, but it’s 12:37 a.m. and my wife and I are just seeing this….Is the suspension/cancellation immediate on June 1? We have a flight booked on Spirit on June 11 for St. Thomas. Are we SOL?
It appears airlines will have the authority to cancel, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will at this early point.
United took my booking last week for flight to St Thomas on 6/12. I call foul on the airlines for taking money knowing they will not be flying. I called and asked, but of course no one knows anything about it and if I wish to cancel I can get a credit for future flight but no money back!!
Sandra, my understanding is that United asked for permission to suspend service to St. Thomas (among other listed destinations), has been granted permission, but that still doesn’t necessarily mean it it will cancel service or what date it will do so. The important thing is simply to be aware that it might occur. As airlines make actual schedule change updates, I will report them on this blog.
62?? Not sure where you got that number… Common core? Need to go back through your own list. There’s 75 airports listed here…
Subtract the duplicates and you get 62.
Interesting. Our June STT flights were cancelled by Delta. Have been trying to rebook for July. Delta site and agents via phone show no flights for July. Can’t believe that only one airline (AA) would be flying in/out of STT all summer, but maybe?
Curious as to why you chose to feature a photo of an American Airlines jet for the headline when it has the fewest dropped cities of the majors…and three of the four are seasonal destinations.
It wasn’t malicious. I was just thinking about them dropping their 29-mile flight when I searched for an appropriate image.
I tried to book a Delta flight to Melbourne, FL for this month and they had no flights at all. I usually inject through Atlanta, but Melbourne was completely grayed out. No mention of it on their site.
Uggghh I just booked Spirit MCO-STT last Friday for late June. Spirit customer service knows nothing about it (not at all surprising). What is the best way to stay updated on whether DOT issues final approval and whether Spirit actually pulls out of STT?
Spirit has been given permission to suspend flights. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they will.
Hmmm…so now I need to decide whether to book lodging and risk the flight being pulled out from under us, in which case we might get stuck with the lodging :-/
Has Silver been given permission to suspend service to STT? My backup plan was JetBlue but SJU-STT leg is codeshare with Silver/Seabourne.
I thought I had read somewhere that JetBlue was pulling out of San Diego?
Mathew, Delta has dropped service to CAK yet I don’t see that on here. Does that mean it is only temporary and service will return. Believe it or not, I am a PlatinumMillion Miler and I can’t get an answer from them.
Hi Alan,
CAK was an earlier reduction in service. The service is CLE only until at least September. See blow for details:
https://liveandletsfly.com/delta-consolidates-metro-flights/
We have UA flights to STT July 4. With 15 people traveling.
Any way to know when they will drop flights? The island is just opening back up on June 1.
Should I call the airline and wait for hours to get an answer?
We are trying to plan a trip to STT via United Airlines for July and I am wondering the same thing. Flights are still showing up when you search for them.
United has not removed July flights yet. But keep in mind, just because airlines have permission to suspend routes does not necessarily mean that they will suspend some or all of the routes.
Hi Matthew – any update on if these requests were approved by the DOT? Thank you!
Hi Katie, I have not received info on a final ruling, but will report back once I do.
Thank you!