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Delta Air Lines exits Midland while expanding new routes from Austin

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Delta Air Lines exits Midland while expanding new routes from Austin
Policy
Webp ed
Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer | Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines will end its service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) in November, resulting in a complete withdrawal from the Midland-Odessa market. The airline has operated up to three daily flights on this route since April 2024, but will conduct its final flight in early November.

Data from the US Department of Transportation indicates that Delta’s AUS-MAF route struggled with low passenger loads, with average occupancy rates below 60% last year and dropping to under 55% during some months. The route’s performance was weak compared to other services out of Austin. Southwest Airlines remains the primary carrier at Midland, commanding almost half of the market share and serving five routes. Currently, Southwest is also the only airline providing nonstop service between Austin and Midland-Odessa.

When Delta launched flights to Midland-Odessa, airport officials noted that they received only 48 hours’ notice before the announcement. Industry observers suggested that these short-haul flights allowed Delta to maintain access to gates at Austin ahead of future expansion plans. Around the same period, Delta also began service to McAllen International Airport (MFE), which continues for now.

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While discontinuing its only flight to Midland-Odessa, Delta is expanding operations elsewhere in Texas. The carrier announced several new routes from Austin this week as part of a broader strategy. Beginning November 9—one day after ending service to Midland-Odessa—Delta will launch twice-daily flights from Austin to Denver (DEN). In June 2026, daily nonstop services will begin for both Columbus (CMH) and Kansas City (MCI). Flights on these new routes will use Embraer E175 aircraft featuring multiple cabin classes.

Delta is also increasing frequencies on existing routes: San Francisco (SFO) flights rise from one to two per day starting April 13, 2026; Indianapolis (IND) jumps from one daily flight to three beginning June 7, 2026.

According to company data cited by Simple Flying, Delta flew one million passengers through Austin so far in 2025—a figure representing a year-over-year increase of about 12%. This growth has made Delta the second-largest airline at AUS, just ahead of American Airlines but still trailing Southwest Airlines by a significant margin. Next year, nearly thirty destinations—including Cancun and Cabo San Lucas—will be served directly from Austin by Delta.

The airline plans further investment in its local presence with a permanent flight attendant base opening in October. Senator Ted Cruz said this move would “open more travel choices for Texans and bring hundreds of good-paying jobs” into Texas.

Additional new routes are planned soon: Palm Springs service starts November 8; international flights to Cancun and Cabo San Lucas begin December 20.

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