Hub status of Memphis continues to diminish as Delta culls more service

A steady downsizing by Delta at its Memphis hub is continuing into 1Q2013 as the carrier plans to slash roughly 96 weekly frequencies from its scheduled offerings from the airport. After pulling down Memphis significantly since its 2008 merger with Northwest, the airport has shrunk to Delta's smallest domestic US hub, bypassing Cincinnati, which has also faced its share of service cuts during the same time period.

Memphis suffers from a geographical disadvantage in relation to Delta's mega hub in Atlanta, and also has a fair number of markets operated with 50-seat regional jets, an aircraft Delta is busy ridding itself of in favour of larger-gauge aircraft. Those elements continue to work against Memphis, leaving the airport to search for new carriers to fill the service gaps Delta's downsizing continues to create.

The new reductions to Delta's operations beginning in Jan-2013 follow elimination of approximately 56 weekly frequencies by Delta in Memphis in Aug-2012. Between Aug-2012 and Nov-2012 Delta's peak day departures in Memphis fell from 125 to 115 after averaging 147 in Jul-2012.