Delta May Drop Flying In 24 Small Cities

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Delta Air Lines Inc. is looking to drop money-losing flights in 24 small cities, putting some of them at risk of losing air service altogether.

Delta says it has been losing $14 million a year on the flights, which are concentrated in the nation's midsection in cities like Thief River Falls, Minn., and Waterloo, Iowa. Some flights are only 12 percent full on average. Many are on Saab turboprop planes, which Delta is retiring.

Federal subsidies help pay for flying in 16 of the cities. Other airlines can bid for those subsidies if Delta pulls out. The airline says it will ask for federal subsidies in the other eight cities. It said it can't afford to keep flying to those cities without a subsidy.

Delta pulled their planes and air service out of the St. Cloud Regional Airport a couple years ago.

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