Delta weighs leaving Mid-Missouri

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Delta Air Lines is claiming an unfair economic advantage is being offered to another airline at the Columbia Regional Airport, which may lead Delta to leave the Mid-Missouri market.

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Columbia announced earlier this month that a deal had been reached with American Airlines for service to Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth. The deal was made possible through a two-year, $3 million minimum revenue guarantee, which protects the airline from any potential losses. Jefferson City and Cole County both contributed $100,000 to the minimum revenue guarantee fund.

But Delta representatives were not only unhappy about the deal, they also were surprised by it. Anthony Black, Delta spokesman, said city officials never informed them of the impending deal or even of the negotiations.

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RobHunterJohnson 7 months ago

What if American decides not to? Rob

Crump 7 months ago

This is what happens when govt. gets involved in business decisions.

tonto_goldberg 7 months ago

That's kind of a strange statement to make, since businesses do not run airports.

spelchek 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Gov't is using tax dollars to pick winners and losers.

mia 7 months ago

I almost think this is funny. In my opinion, Delta is a much better company. You are playing with the big boys now, Columbia. They will more than likely take their toys and leave.

tonto_goldberg 7 months ago

They might just want a subsidy like American gets. In exchange for losing their exclusive status at the airport, it might seem reasonable. The remaining question is whether Columbia can build and maintain enough air traffic for both airlines to survive.

JCLifer 7 months ago

Not if the Tigers don't get their act together real quick. They may have to drop th LU's conference.

Wspahn 7 months ago

So Columbia and Jefferson City officials have guaranteed bankrupt American Airlines a no loss revenue stream. Where is this guaranteed money to this huge company coming from. Hopefully the mayor's of these 2 fine cities will use their own money to back this guarantee up.

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