Delta Air Lines announced that it will «strategically» reduce its flight schedule during the summer. Between July 1st and August 7th, it will reduce its services by about 100 departures per day, primarily in the U.S. and Latin American markets. «This will build additional resilience in our system and improve operational reliability for our customers and employee», the company stated.
In recent months, the Atlanta-based airline had already adjusted its schedule to minimize contingencies and improve preparedness for widespread cancellations or delays events. In the same sense, and shortly before the beginning of one of the busiest air travel seasons of the year, the new measures will seek to optimize the services offered.
On the other hand, the company highlighted the growing demand observed in recent times, in a context of lifting of sanitary restrictions and reopening of routes. «Rebuilding Delta’s full-scale operation to serve the increasing number of customers who want to fly with us has been a huge feat – and not without challenges», they said.
According to the company, it expects to carry 2.5 million passengers during the Memorial Day weekend, which is commemorated this year on May 30th. The figure represents a 25% increase over the same period in 2021. The three-day break also marks the beginning of the peak travel season.
Allison Ausband, Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, remarked that «more than any time» in the company’s history, factors affecting scheduling «are resulting in an operation that isn’t consistently up to the standards Delta has set for the industry in recent years».
Circumstances such as summer weather, air traffic management and potential COVID-19 contagions resulting in unscheduled absences for the company’s own staff and suppliers may affect the planned service. Delta remarked that it is working to offer no-cost rebooking alternatives in cases of weather-related cancellations.
An example of this is the planned resolution between May 26th and 28th. Due to weather forecasts for regions along the U.S. East Coast, the company is already issuing travel waivers.
In addition, Delta highlighted other measures aimed at improving service in general, including working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to optimize air traffic management processes, hiring staff, and implementing measures to streamline boarding processes.
See also: Delta to fly to Buenos Aires with Boeing 767-400(ER) aircraft
