Delta to pause flights to 11 cities in reminder of US weakness

Delta will drop service to 11 midsize US cities next month amid weak demand because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a reminder of the industry’s fragility after a record stock rally. The service suspensions affecting cities from Aspen, Colorado, to Bangor, Maine, will help lower costs, Delta said in a statement Friday. The affected airports are among 75 authorised this week for service cuts by the US Department of Transportation. They all will retain at least some flights from other carriers, the agency said. “Delta continues to face an unprecedented impact to our business, and suspending operations at these airports will reduce costs where customer demand is low,” said Sandy Gordon, senior VP of domestic airport operations. Delta’s cuts provide a counterpoint to investor exuberance this week after American Airlines Group boosted its flight schedule for next month and United followed suit hours later, signaling gains in demand. <br/>