American Confirms Suspended Service to 15 Cities
Joe Cortez August 20, 2020
After considering stopping service to as many as 30 cities, American Airlines has decided where they will stop service. As of Oct. 7, 2020, a number of small markets – including Huntington, WV, Joplin, MO, and New Haven, CT – will have air services suspended with the Fort-Worth based airline.
American Airlines has decided which cities they will remove from service, as a result of the downturn in business associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release, the airline announced the list of 15 airports they will suspend service from starting Oct. 7, 2020.
Small Markets Hurt Big by American Departure
According to reports, leaders at the Fort Worth-based airline were considering ending service to up to 30 cities. But after the report, the airline says they will suspend service to the following 15 cities:
- Del Rio, TX (DRT)
- Dubuque, IA (DBQ)
- Florence, SC (FLO)
- Greenville, NC (PGV)
- Huntington, WV (HTS)
- Joplin, MO (JLN)
- Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, MI (AZO)
- Lake Charles, LA (LCH)
- New Haven, CT (HVN)
- New Windsor, NY (SWF)
- Roswell, NM (ROW)
- Sioux City, Iowa (SUX)
- Springfield, IL (SPI)
- Stillwater, OK (SWO)
- Williamsport, PA (IPT)
The airline decided to suspend these routes as “a result of low demand and the expiration of the air service requirements associated with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.” According to the airline, the suspensions may be temporary, and could be subject to review on a month-by-month basis.
“The airline will continue to re-assess plans for these and other markets as an extension of the Payroll Support Program remains under deliberation,” American said in a press release. “The full, updated October schedule will be released Aug. 29, and American anticipates releasing its updated November schedule by late-September.”
Route Cuts Come Ahead of Potential Furloughs
In addition to suspending service on several different routes, American could also be preparing to furlough roughly 25,000 employees. Without additional Payroll Support Program funds, the airline previously announced they will reduce in-flight cabin crews to the minimum required by the Federal Aviation Administration, plus one. The furloughs could begin as soon as Oct. 1, 2020.
Feature image courtesy: American Airlines
...most of these seem to be served by American Eagle affiliates. Still feeling that Portland (OR) may be on their list for further reductions as we are a major market for Alaska while Milwaukee is only about an 80 - 90 min drive from their hub at ORD.
It also appears that they have suspended service to YVR.
If US Air didn't merge with AA. These cuts to regional airports would probably not be as numerous.