Airport Alert: More Airlines File for Exemptions from Service Obligations

United, Delta, Alaska and Allegiant join a list of carriers that are proposing to suspend or end air service to communities around the country as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the aviation industry.

 

H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which the President signed into law on March 27, provides a total of $58 billion in loans, loan guarantees and grants for passenger and cargo carriers. The bill authorizes DOT to require carriers receiving financial assistance to maintain scheduled air transportation to "the extent reasonable and practicable."

 

DOT on April 7 issued a Final Order indicating how the agency plans to implement the air service conditions in the CARES Act. The document also prescribes how carriers receiving financial assistance can request exemptions from their service obligations.

 

Airports, communities and other interested parties may file comments on carriers' exemption requests within three business days. However, DOT may shorten that comment period if the agency deems it is in the "public interest." Carriers then have the option to respond within two business days before DOT rules on the exemption request.

 

 

United: United Airlines filed an exemption request earlier today. The carrier indicated that it has "cut approximately 80% of its capacity for April, with passenger load factor expected to fall into the teens or single digits during that time frame." United also said that it "currently expects to make even larger capacity cuts in May 2020."

 

United is requesting to cease service to four points in Hawaii through the duration of the Order: Hilo, Kona, Lihue and Kahului. It is also proposing to end service to six other points in the continental United States: Green Bay, WI; Gunnison, CO; Ithaca, NY; Kalamazoo, MI; Sante Fe, NM; and Valparaiso, FL. United indicated that it plans to consider resuming service to those points on or before July 6, 2020.

 

The carrier is also proposing to postpone its summer seasonal service to Fairbanks, AK until July 6, 2020 and to temporarily suspend summer service to Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, SC until the same date. United's exemption request may be viewed here.

 

Alaska: Alaska Airlines also filed an exemption request today seeking relief from its service obligations to three Hawaii airports: Kona, Lihue, and Kahului. The airline is also requesting a limited exemption from its service obligation to Sun Valley, Idaho. The carrier pointed out that it provides seasonal service to the community in the summer and requested an exemption to provide service in April and May. Alaska's exemption request may be viewed here.

 

Allegiant: Allegiant Air also filed today. The carrier is requesting exemption relief for the following six communities through June 30: Albuquerque, NM; Bellingham, WA; El Paso, TX; McAllen-Mission, TX; Odgen, UT; and Palm Springs, CA.

 

The carrier is also requesting exemption relief for the following 15 points through September 30, 2020: Clarksburg, WV; Dayton, OH; Grand Forks, ND; Little Rock, AR; Moline-Quad Cities, IL; Montrose, CO; Ogdensburg, NY; Owensboro, KY; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Rochester, NY; St. Cloud, MN; San Antonio, TX; San Juan, PR; Springfield, IL; and Tucson, AZ. Allegiant's exemption request may be viewed here.

 

Delta: Delta Air Lines filed an exemption request on Friday, April 10. The carrier informed DOT it is planning to provide seasonal service to seven communities as previously scheduled: West Yellowstone, MT on May 7; Cody, WY on May 22; Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka, AK on June 8; and Martha's Vineyard, MA and Nantucket, MA on June 26.

 

Delta also indicated that it has temporarily suspended service to Christiansted and Charlotte Amalie in the U.S. Virgin Islands "due to severe government-imposed travel restrictions." Those travel restrictions are set to expires on April 30, and the carrier indicated that it plans to resume service on May 2 unless those restrictions are extended. Delta's exemption request may be viewed here.