WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today announced that Delta Airlines will suspend its plan to cancel direct service from Jackson-Evers International Airport in Jackson, Mississippi, to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., for three months while the airline determines the impact to the community.

“Eliminating direct flights from Jackson, Mississippi, to our nation’s capital would negatively impact tourism and our economy,” said Wicker. “I applaud Delta for its decision to work hand in hand with the community to reevaluate its plan and determine a long-term solution.”

Earlier this year, Delta announced its intention to cancel the Jackson direct flight to Washington, DC. The service was set to end in September 2010. Last year, this flight served more than 17,000 passengers, transporting many Mississippians from the state capital to the nation’s capital and beyond.

Senator Wicker met with Delta representatives early Tuesday to discuss ridership and frequency of the flights as well as the benefits to Mississippians. 

Following that meeting, Delta decided to suspend the cancellation and grant a reprieve of the Jackson to Washington, D.C., flight for three months to work closely with the community and reassess the impacts of the possible cancellation. 

“These are tough economic times for families and businesses forcing many to tighten budgets and cut back on travel,” added Wicker.  “I believe ridership on this important flight will increase over the coming months as we work to improve our economy.”

Delta serves seven airports in Mississippi (Tupelo, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Golden Triangle, Greenville, Jackson) providing 44% of the commercial seats available in the state. Jackson is Delta’s largest market in the state currently offering 16 daily flights.  Delta’s first passenger flight landed in Jackson, Mississippi in 1929.

# # #