Delta Air Lines is set to scale back its operations in New York City by nearly 20% during the post-holiday season of 2025-2026. This adjustment will affect flight schedules at both John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), with a projected reduction in operations ranging from 15-20%. According to analysis by The Points Guy, supported by Cirium schedule data, there will also be a slowdown of about 10% in November, December, March, and April. However, this doesn’t mean any routes will be completely cut; instead, Delta will simply reduce the number of aircraft assigned to each route from JFK and LGA.
Thanks to the Federal Aviation Administration’s “Limited Waiver of the Slot Usage Requirement,” Delta can decrease its flight frequency in the NYC area without losing its valuable slots. This waiver allows airlines to maintain their takeoff and landing rights even if they don’t meet the usual 80% slot utilization requirement. Delta’s strategy is to redeploy aircraft and staff to other hubs and routes with higher demand projections, all while keeping its foothold in some of the busiest airports in the U.S. A Delta spokesperson mentioned that these changes are part of adjustments to their winter schedule, and the airline is committed to minimizing disruptions for travelers.
In the post-pandemic era, air traffic at major hubs like JFK and LGA hasn’t bounced back to pre-COVID levels. Issues with air traffic control have also contributed to bottlenecks, leading to more empty seats on flights. Delta’s planned cuts target off-peak periods, ensuring that the airline can fully support the high-demand holiday travel season. However, this strategy might lead to higher airfares, as fewer flights could mean less choice for travelers. Delta is also looking to integrate artificial intelligence into its pricing model by the end of the year, which could further impact ticket prices.
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Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
