© 2024 WKNO FM
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Delta to "De-hub" Memphis

Delta Air Lines

On Tuesday, June 5, Delta Air Lines announced that the Atlanta-based carrier will slash more than 40 percent of its service to Memphis International Airport by September.

Details:

  • The "de-hubbing" of Memphis means a cutback from 92 to 60 daily flights out of the city.
  • Reduction of 230 airport customer service and cargo employees as of Sept. 3. Employees can apply for other positions within the company.
  • Delta says Memphis is "unprofitable" as a hub.
  • U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen responds: "In 2008, Delta CEO Richard Anderson said in a Congressional hearing that the Delta/Northwest merger would not impact flights in and out of Memphis and even hinted at the addition of a possible Paris flight. He said that the merger was about addition, not subtraction. Now we are no longer a hub, have zero regular international flights and have only 60 domestic flights on Delta. This decision by Delta puts the flying public at a disadvantage."

Reporting from the gates of Graceland to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Christopher has covered Memphis news, arts, culture and politics for more than 20 years in print and on the radio. He is currently WKNO's News Director and Senior Producer at the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. Join his conversations about the Memphis arts scene on the WKNO Culture Desk Facebook page.