DELTA AIR LINES is to streamline its domestic and international route networks, including the axing of unprofitable services to five European and Asian cities, as part of cost-cutting efforts.
The rationalisation, which is to be introduced with the winter schedule in October, will end European services to Hamburg and Lisbon, as well as flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taipei.
"We have had concerns about the lack of profitability on these routes and, despite our best efforts to reduce costs and improve revenues, the markets have not responded," says Delta.
Services to Japan are not affected, and Delta is pressing ahead with plans for a code-share with All Nippon Airways.
The reworking of the domestic network will mean that the Atlanta hub will be refocused on longer-haul destinations, and services will be ended on five short-haul routes. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, now the carrier's second hub, will continue to grow, including more non-stop services. Flights from Dallas/Fort Worth will be cut by one third.
The airline expects the domestic savings to improve results by $65-85 million.
Source: Flight International
