Iowa is losing its only direct flight to New York. Delta Airlines is planning to drop its daily nonstop service from Des Moines in September. Des Moines Airport spokesperson Roy Criss says Delta tried to increase interest in the service but routinely filled only 25% of the seats.
“They gave it a couple years, they did everything they could,” Criss said. “They lowered the fares and it didn’t help, they raised the fares and it didn’t help, they put a bigger, nicer plane on the route that didn’t seem to help. So, evidently the demand for a nonstop destination to New York in Central Iowa just isn’t as great as they felt it would be.”
The decision will likely disappoint business travelers the most. “I think any time you can fly out in the morning, do a full day of business, fly home in the afternoon, sleep in your own bed, eat dinner at home and save money on that hotel room – because they’re expensive in New York – that means a lot to the business people,” Criss said.
Delta recently announced nonstop service to Branson from Des Moines, which Criss says appears to be very popular.
