Delta Air Lines withdraws services from two Alaskan cities amid ongoing competition

Research

Nicky Kelvin Senior director of content | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Jan 17, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced it will cease its seasonal summer services to Ketchikan International Airport and Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport. The airline, which has been serving these locations from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport since 2015, confirmed this decision through a spokesperson. Despite this withdrawal, Delta plans to increase its presence at Alaska's two major airports—Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Fairbanks International Airport—by offering 4% more seats during the peak summer months compared to last year.

Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines is expanding its operations by introducing new nonstop routes. The Oneworld alliance member will offer flights connecting Anchorage with Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Sacramento International Airport on Saturdays throughout the summer. Additionally, Fairbanks will see daily connections to Portland International Airport in Oregon.

Alaska Airlines continues to provide year-round service to both Ketchikan and Sitka. However, the airline's overall seat capacity to the state is projected to decrease by nearly 3% in the second quarter of this year.

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Shannon McCarthy from the Alaska Department of Transportation expressed enthusiasm for these new routes. Hailey Standish from Fairbanks airport highlighted that the new route linking Fairbanks to Portland could potentially extend beyond the summer season.

The competition between Delta and Alaska Airlines in the region has persisted for years, with both airlines consistently holding top positions for air travel in and out of Alaska since 2010. According to Cirium Diio schedules, four out of every five passengers traveling to Alaska have flown with either of these carriers over the past decade.

Alaska Airlines remains committed to serving its namesake state, as emphasized by a spokesperson who declined to comment on Delta's recent schedule changes but reaffirmed their dedication.

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