Delta Air Lines revises flight plans; cancels two routes before launch

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Global Industry News

Delta Air Lines revises flight plans; cancels two routes before launch

Research

Colby Kirkpatrick Contributor | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Jul 1, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced changes to its flight network, impacting several routes before their official launch. The Atlanta-based airline will not proceed with its planned flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Memphis International Airport (MEM) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) during the winter season. This decision was initially observed in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a Delta spokesperson.

The carrier had previously unveiled these routes in May as part of an expansion that included service from JFK to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). The unexpected change suggests lower than anticipated demand for the JFK-Memphis and JFK-St. Louis markets.

In place of one of these canceled routes, Delta plans to introduce daily flights from JFK to Sarasota Brandenton International Airport (SRQ), starting December 20, 2025, through May 6, 2026. Initially intended only for the holiday period, this service will now cover the entire winter season and will be operated by Republic Airways, a Delta Connection affiliate.

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Additionally, Delta is launching three other new routes: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Hector International Airport (FAR) in Fargo; Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD); and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE). These services commence on December 20, 2025.

The Fargo route will operate daily throughout the winter season alongside existing MSP-Fargo flights. The Austin-Los Cabos service will run daily until April 12, 2026. Meanwhile, the Minneapolis-Vail route includes daily flights until January 5, 2026, then shifts to weekly Saturday operations until March 28, covering ski season.

Notably, despite lacking a hub in Austin, Delta continues expanding its presence there as a focus city. Network chief Paul Baldoni stated that while they are not yet considering Austin a hub officially, they aim to enhance local connectivity which may naturally lead to increased connecting traffic.

Baldoni remarked that "we're getting up to now close to 80 departures a day [along with our partners]. When we get close to around 120 daily departures," it could resemble hub-like connectivity whether or not Austin is formally designated as such.

This expansion reflects Delta's strategy of bolstering nonstop options for local customers while gradually increasing connecting itineraries through strategic growth in cities like Austin.