Memphis International Airport — originally one of the hub cities of Northwest Airlines before it was merged with Delta Air Lines — will no longer be a hub of Delta Air Lines, as the number of daily flights to that airport will be reduced to 60 flights per day starting on September 3, 2013.
Additionally, 230 jobs are expected to be eliminated.
High fuel costs and inefficient regional jet airplanes were reportedly cited as reasons contributing as to why Memphis is considered an unprofitable hub airport.
This has apparently been in the works for some time, as it was announced back in February that Delta Air Lines relinquished 14 of its 47 gates at Memphis International Airport and shrunk its terminal footprint to fit a sharply reduced flight schedule — and FlyerTalk members portended the end of Memphis International Airport as a hub for Delta Air Lines.
The mayor of Memphis had met with the chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines last year to discuss the role of Memphis International Airport with Delta Air Lines, including the consideration of the replacement of the Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-200 aircraft with Boeing 717 aircraft to help increase profitablilty.
FlyerTalk members speculate that Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will be next to have its status as a hub airport for Delta Air Lines stripped. Do you agree?
