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.
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.