ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) is most likely to suspend the only transatlantic flight route of Stuttgart Airport (STR), Germany, from October 26, 2024.
The Atlanta-based carrier currently operates four times weekly flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Stuttgart Airport (STR) using a fleet of ageing Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.
Delta Suspends Stuttgart Route
Atlanta (ATL) to Stuttgart (STR) route holds historical importance for Delta, predating its 1991 acquisition of Pan Am’s Atlantic division. The service reportedly began in 1988 or 1989, a user wrote on Enilria post.
Initially, the flight operated as ATL-AMS-STR using L-1011 aircraft, with Delta uniquely holding local traffic rights on the Amsterdam (AMS) to Stuttgart leg.
This decision follows Delta’s cancellation of its Atlanta to Düsseldorf (DUS) route after Summer 2023, which similarly left Düsseldorf without transatlantic connections. Delta’s withdrawal from Stuttgart indicates a broader trend of reducing service to secondary German markets, Ishrion Aviation, a US-based independent route analyst reported.
The Atlanta-Stuttgart market has experienced a significant decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. Detroit (DTW), a crucial feed market for the route due to automotive industry traffic, has also seen sharp reductions in demand. High fares initially compensated for reduced passenger numbers, but as prices normalized, the route’s profitability became questionable, Enilria shared on his Patreon page.
United Airlines (UA) absence from the Stuttgart market, despite its hubs in Newark (EWR) and Washington Dulles (IAD), is notable.
Industry speculation suggests Lufthansa (LH) prefers to funnel passengers through its own hubs for US-bound flights rather than support direct competition. Hence it will not likely to serve the US routes from Stuggart.
Current data shows Delta operating four weekly flights in September 2024, providing 907 seats. However, the December 2024 schedule indicates zero flights and seats, confirming the route’s cancellation.
Also Read: Delta and United Airlines Leads Europe-US Routes, Lufthansa and KLM Trails | Exclusive – Aviation A2Z
Possibility of New Transatlantic Routes?
Furthermore, Delta Air Lines may announce its Summer 2025 international routes soon, possibly deviating from its typical late September timing. This speculation arises from the airline’s recent pattern of coupling route cancellations with new service announcements.
Delta’s cancellation of Düsseldorf (DUS) service last year coincided with announcements of new routes and increased frequencies to Naples (NAP), Shannon (SNN), Munich (MUC) from JFK, and Zurich (ZRH) from Atlanta.
Delta often reveals new routes on Fridays, suggesting a potential imminent announcement.
Top 10 Routes of Stuttgart Airport
According to FlightRadar24 data, Stuttgart Airport, which is situated in the South-western part of the country operates the highest number of flights to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) in Spain.
Here are the 10 busiest routes operated from Stuggart Airport:
| Rank | IATA Code | Airport Name | Flights per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PMI | Palma de Mallorca Airport | 62 |
| 2 | AYT | Antalya Airport | 56 |
| 3 | AMS | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol | 35 |
| 4 | LHR | London Heathrow Airport | 32 |
| 5 | MUC | Munich Airport | 32 |
| 6 | FRA | Frankfurt Airport | 31 |
| 7 | HAM | Hamburg Airport | 30 |
| 8 | IST | Istanbul Airport | 28 |
| 9 | SAW | Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport | 28 |
| 10 | VIE | Vienna International Airport | 26 |
The top four routes served by STR are International routes. Further, out of 10, only three are domestic routes. Turkey is the only country that has three busiest routes from Stuggart Airport.
Stuttgart’s Economic and Industrial Significance
Stuttgart stands as a crucial economic and industrial hub in southwestern Germany, boasting a strategic location and diverse economic portfolio:
- Transportation Hub: The city serves as a vital rail junction, connecting the Danube River region with northern Germany and the Rhine River, enhancing its logistical importance.
- Industrial Powerhouse: Stuttgart anchors the largest industrial zone in southwestern Germany, driving regional economic growth and innovation.
- Trade and Commerce Center: The city regularly hosts significant trade fairs and congresses, cementing its role in international business and commerce.
- Automotive Industry Nexus: Stuttgart houses the world or German headquarters of major automotive companies, including Daimler AG and Porsche, underlining its global significance in the auto sector.
- Manufacturing Diversity: Beyond automobiles, the region excels in general and electrical engineering, showcasing industrial versatility.
What are your thoughts on Delta Air Lines’s decision to cut Stuggart from its network? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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