The two largest carriers in Atlanta, Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways, continue to cut routes as they adjust to higher fuel costs and difficult economic conditions.

Among its route cancellations this year, Atlanta-based Delta is discontinuing its seasonal routes from Atlanta to Barbados and from Atlanta to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

The airline made the decision because the flights weren’t performing well, according to Delta spokesman Trebor Banstetter. He said the airline continues to monitor demand.

Meanwhile, AirTran, now a subsidiary of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, is discontinuing its flights from Atlanta to Atlantic City, N.J. effective in January and to Newport News, Virg. as of March.

AirTran said it cannot support service to those market because of the “challenging economic environment and sustained high fuel prices,” and its parent Southwest plans to continue to consider ways to reduce “unproductive flying.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

A man makes a phone call in front of a train during Tracks of Hope, an event hosted by Norfolk Southern in support of Hope Atlanta, in Forest Park, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Norfolk Southern opened its executive vintage business train, typically reserved for company leadership and dignitaries, to the public in support of Hope Atlanta. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC