Delta Air Lines to End This Route from Austin

ATLANTA– Delta Air Lines (DL) has confirmed it will end all service to Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF), with its Austin (AUS)–Midland (MAF) route scheduled to cease on November 8.

This move eliminates Delta’s presence in Midland, Texas, following earlier cuts to Harlingen (HRL), and highlights the airline’s shifting priorities at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

Photo: By Alan Wilson – Embraer Emb175SR ‘N607CZ’ Delta Connection, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33925207

Delta Ends Austin to Midland Flight

Delta Air Lines first launched flights between Austin (AUS) and Midland (MAF) in 2023. At the time, industry observers questioned the strategy since Delta did not connect Midland to its main hub in Atlanta (ATL) and instead ran a short regional route.

The service operated on regional jets, making it relatively inexpensive, but performance was consistently weak. Delta never gave the route significant marketing support and, according to airport officials, only provided Midland notice of the launch 48 hours before announcing it publicly. This suggested the route was more about maintaining gate access at Austin than building a sustainable market.

By early 2024, traffic data confirmed the challenges. Passenger demand per day each way (PDEW) from Austin to Midland remained low, with yields falling from an average $505 round-trip in March 2024 to $336 by March 2025.

Even with cheaper fares, Delta struggled to capture market share against Southwest Airlines (WN), which dominated both airports, ViewfromtheWing reported.

Delta Air Lines jets parked at MSP Airport; Photo- Wikipedia

Gate Strategy at Austin

The decision to cut Midland aligns with Delta’s broader approach at Austin-Bergstrom (AUS). The airline has steadily promoted growth in Austin, boasting nearly 30 routes in press releases, though the actual number has fluctuated as new flights appeared while weaker ones disappeared quietly.

Industry analysts noted that some of these short-haul Texas routes served as placeholders. Operating small, low-demand flights allowed Delta to occupy scarce gates while it planned long-term expansion.

Once higher-priority routes were finalized, underperforming connections like Austin–Midland (MAF) and Austin–Harlingen (HRL) were cut.

This gate strategy reflects how competitive AUS has become. Both Southwest (WN) and American Airlines (AA) have significant operations there, leaving Delta to carve out space wherever possible.

Performance Metrics Behind the Exit

The traffic and market share data further explain why Delta abandoned Midland:

• Traffic Volume: In March 2025, the Austin–Midland route carried about 86 PDEW, a modest increase from 40 PDEW in March 2024.
• Yields: Average fares dropped from $505 round-trip in 2024 to $336 in 2025, undercutting profitability.
• Market Share: Southwest (WN) maintained a majority share, with 56% of passengers in 2025 compared to Delta’s 39%. American (AA) and United (UA) remained marginal players in the market.
• Capacity: Average daily flights on the route shrank from 3.7 in September 2025 to 2.5 by December 2025, signaling reduced commitment.

These figures show that Delta’s incremental gains were not enough to justify continued service. The cuts leave Southwest as the dominant carrier at both AUS and MAF.

New York LaGuardia Airport. Photo: Corey Seeman

What It Means Going Forward

With this exit, Delta now has no presence at Midland (MAF). The carrier’s only remaining small Texas market is McAllen (MFE), which itself faces uncertain prospects given similar performance issues.

For Midland travelers, the loss of Delta reduces options to primarily Southwest Airlines (WN) and limited service from American (AA) and United (UA).

For Austin, it signals that Delta’s focus will remain on larger, more profitable markets, while shorter regional routes serve as temporary gate placeholders rather than long-term investments.

Delta has not provided detailed comments on the decision, but the pattern is clear: routes that do not align with its growth strategy in Austin will not last.

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