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.