Delta Stops Direct Flight

Sep. 9–Direct flights between Okaloosa Regional Airport and Cincinnati on Delta Connection airliners will end on Dec. 1.

Delta Airlines announced this week that it would reduce flights by 26 percent to and from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, eliminating direct service to nine cities, including Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola.

The move is part of Delta’s effort to get out of financial difficulties.

In a related development Thursday, SkyWest Airlines purchased Delta regional carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines for $425 million, both carriers announced.

Delta said proceeds from the sale of ASA will be used for general corporate purposes and to pay down $100 million of outstanding loans.

Officials at Okaloosa Regional Airport could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

As part of the purchase agreement, St. George, Utah-based SkyWest and its new wholly owned subsidiary ASA obtained the rights to continue flying as Delta Connection carriers through 2020.

Delta spokesman Anthony Black said SkyWest-ASA must fly routes determined by Delta, and Delta will not keep the direct Fort Walton Beach-Cincinnati route.

“As of Dec. 1, the Fort Waltonto-Cincinnati route is discontinued,” Black said. “Passengers can connect to Cincinnati through Atlanta.”

SkyWest, which flies 30- to 66-seat passenger jets, makes more than 1,500 daily departures for Delta and United Air Lines.

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