American Airlines dropping service to several Midwest airports. Here’s when and why
American Airlines is suspending flights to some smaller airports, leaving some cities in the Midwest without a major carrier.
The airline on Thursday announced it would stop service this fall to Dubuque Regional Airport in Iowa; Joplin Regional Airport in Missouri; Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport in Michigan; Sioux Gateway Airport in Iowa; and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois.
The changes also impact two airports in Plains states: Del Rio International Airport in Texas and Stillwater Regional Airport in Oklahoma, the company said in a news release.
The suspension is in effect Oct. 7 to Nov. 3 and will impact 15 airports nationwide, the news release said.
American Airlines is the only carrier that serves the airports in Del Rio, Dubuque, Joplin and Stillwater, according to their websites.
The decision to drop flights has made airport officials surprised to temporarily lose service and will leave some areas without nearby flight options, the Dallas Business Journal reported.
“Our nearest airport with commercial air service is San Antonio or San Angelo at three hours,” Juan Carlos Onofre, airport manager in the border city of Del Rio, told the news outlet.
American Airlines said it dropped flights to some smaller cities as it sees reduced travel demand. Its commitment to the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is also set to end, according to the company.
“American and the other U.S. passenger carriers that accepted portions of $25 billion in federal payroll support were required to maintain minimum levels of service through Sept. 30,” CNBC reported.
The changes were announced as the coronavirus continues to upend the travel industry. During the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to stay home to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
American Airlines said other airports with suspended flights serve Florence, South Carolina; Greenville, North Carolina; Huntington, West Virginia; Lake Charles, Louisiana; New Haven, Connecticut; New Windsor, New York; Roswell, New Mexico; and Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
“The airline will continue to re-assess plans for these and other markets as an extension of the Payroll Support Program remains under deliberation,” officials said in their news release.
The carrier said it would share its complete October schedule on Aug. 29 and a November schedule by the end of September.
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM with the headline "American Airlines dropping service to several Midwest airports. Here’s when and why."
