Roanoke, Virginia (September 30, 2014) - In response to customer demand Delta Airlines has announced, effective November 1, the airline will enhance its service between Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport via aircraft upgrades that will enable the airline to accommodate up to 320 passengers daily.  Currently Delta operates one 126-seat Airbus 319 and three 50-passenger Canadair Regional jets and plans to improve operations with two Boeing 717 110-passenger and two 50-passenger jets. 

At the same time, Delta plans to eliminate its direct service between Roanoke and Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The decision to discontinue this service is a result of decreased passenger numbers over the past twelve months. Delta reports that, on average, passenger loads for flights between Detroit and Roanoke have not been profitable for the airline.

As a result of these combined decisions, Atlanta will become the hub for connecting Delta passengers traveling into and out of Roanoke.  Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is Delta’s largest hub, with 966 peak-day departures to 221 destinations worldwide. Delta operates nonstop service from Atlanta to 67 international destinations in 41 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. While the Detroit airport has served as a connecting hub for passengers traveling to various cities in Asia, the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission reminds travelers that United Airlines, through either the Chicago O’Hare Airport or the Washington Dulles Airport, will continue to offer one stop connections to Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, as well as other cities in Asia.

 # # #