Delta Air Lines is permanently dropping service at one U.S. airport — and travelers will have to make new plans starting this fall.
The airline confirmed that it will exit Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF) in Texas this November. That means Delta flights to and from Midland — including the three-times-daily service to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — will come to a complete stop after just over a year of operation.
Why Delta is leaving Midland
The move comes as Delta adjusts its network to match demand. CEO Edward Bastian had recently signaled that the airline would continue to tweak capacity despite reporting strong earnings in the second quarter of 2025. In Midland’s case, the issue appears to be low passenger numbers.
Department of Transportation data shows that Delta’s Midland–Austin flights were running with load factors below 60 percent. That’s far less than the airline needs to sustain a route, and some industry observers speculated Delta may have initially maintained the service mostly to preserve gate access at Austin, where it’s in growth mode.
“While I am disappointed to learn that Delta Airlines will no longer be servicing our airport, it does not diminish our commitment to ensuring Midland International Air & Space Port continues to thrive and meet the needs of our residents and those traveling through the Permian Basin,” said Councilwoman Robin Poole, the City Council’s liaison to the Airports Department, in a statement.
What this means for travelers
Delta’s exit is certainly disruptive for Midland-based flyers who had relied on the Austin connection. The good news: Southwest Airlines — which already dominates nearly half of Midland’s market share — continues to operate a daily nonstop to Austin.
City officials have also indicated they’re pushing to expand service, including plans for a multimillion-dollar terminal expansion and customer service upgrades.
Delta is still growing in Austin
While Midland is losing service, Austin is gaining. Delta will launch new nonstop routes from Austin to Cancun and Cabo San Lucas starting December 20. The airline is also opening a permanent flight attendant base in Austin this fall, underscoring its long-term commitment to the city as a hub for expansion.
For travelers in West Texas, however, the upcoming change means one fewer airline choice — and a reminder that in the competitive airline industry, if demand isn’t there, routes don’t stick around for long.