This article is from May, but I just chanced upon it (I don't think it's been discussed previously here...not 100% certain though):
https://www.oregonlive.com/business/...le-routes.html
I'm posting it because the following quote potentially contradicts the point I tried to make in post 51, that Delta wouldn't try to use high fares ---> low demand to influence the DOT (I'm still dubious, by the way):
United Airlines on Monday accused Delta of manipulating the price of flights in Portland, charging more than $10,000 for the round-trip flights scheduled to begin in November, to bolster its case for a waiver or steer away customers. The flight calendar on Delta’s website listed the cheapest main cabin tickets at $10,667. Layover flights are readily available from various airlines, including Delta, for less than $2,000.