Flight Global - Cirium
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) will grant 15 carriers exemptions from their air service commitments in exchange for federal assistance, following a revision to its initial requirement that airlines had to maintain service to all destinations in their networks prior to 1 March.
The DOT notice published on 3 June follows a public comment period, including complaints from numerous airports criticising its tentative decision announced in May, that proposed deepening service exemptions for carriers was appropriate if access to certain destinations was still open.
The new order will help airlines rationalise their networks where load factors are low and allow them to reduce cash burn where they can...more
