A Major Texas Airport Will Have To Say Goodbye To Delta Air Lines For Good After This Fall

Travelers in the energy-rich Permian Basin in Texas will soon see one fewer airline in the skies. Delta Air Lines is pulling out of Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) this fall, ending the carrier's presence in the small West Texas city. The growing questions about Delta's future in this destination were answered in a press release by the City of Midland on August 25, confirming that the route will be discontinued as of November 8, 2025. In a statement reported by USA TODAY, Delta said the decision was made in order to "align with consumer demand". 

Delta flights serving the Midland-Odessa area started in the spring of 2024, with three daily flights linking MAF with Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — where you can find great restaurant options. It was just a short hop of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The service gave Permian Basin residents access to coast-to-coast and international connectivity with access to the carrier's global network. According to U.S. Department of Transportation data cited by The Street, Delta's flights on this route were operating at 60% capacity. With Delta now phasing out its Midland flights in the fall, local flyers will rely primarily on competing airlines.

The departure is symbolic of how air service in mid-sized cities has shifted over the past years, with the nation's largest carriers consolidating flights into hubs and selectively trimming markets where economics no longer line up. The change comes in the wake of other market shifts such as Delta's use of artificial intelligence for determining the price of a flight, which some fear may come at a cost for travelers. 

Midland Councilwoman Robin Poole, the City Council's liaison to the Airports Department, issued a statement after the announcement. Acknowledging her disappointment with Delta's departure, she emphasized the city's priorities, explaining, "Air service is essential, and I will continue working alongside my colleagues, city staff, and our partners to bring more options and better connections to Midland."

Reduced air travel options may limit convenience for residents and businesses in the Permian Basin, potentially affecting business travel, and local businesses depending on visitor revenue. In its USA Today statement, Delta apologized for any inconvenience and said it remains "committed to serving Central Texas as the leading global carrier in Austin." In an August 22 press release, Delta had said it was "deepening its commitment to Central Texas with the launch of three new nonstop routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), connecting travelers to Denver (DEN), Columbus (CMH) and Kansas City (MCI)", as well as increasing existing flight frequency from AUS to San Francisco and Indianapolis. There has been speculation that Delta was only operating to MAF as a placeholder to keep open the AUS airport slots necessary for this expansion.

The presence of other carriers, however, such as Southwest, American, and United is sustaining regional connectivity and may help mitigate the disruption to travelers. The City of Midland reassured travelers that they can continue to "enjoy non-stop service to Austin (through Southwest Airlines), along with non-stop flights to Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Denver and Phoenix." The airport's website also shows American Airlines services with several regional trips with daily frequencies to Dallas Fort Worth and Phoenix, where travelers can catch connections. United Airlines also offers direct flights from Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) to Denver International Airport (DEN) and Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH).