A little more than a year after arriving, Delta Airlines is ditching Dubuque.
The airline that arrived as Northwest before merging with Delta last October informed Dubuque Regional Airport officials Monday that it will stop serving the Dubuque market at the end of August.
A memo to the airport cited the global recession, rising oil prices and the spread of the H1N1 virus for the airline's decision to discontinue service.
The blow to Dubuque's two-carrier airport comes a few months after Dubuque County leaders agreed to provide revenue for the airport's other airline, American Eagle, as they fought to keep one of its flights in the area.
Airport Manager Robert Grierson called the news about Delta "disheartening."
"Their numbers were doing pretty good for the last couple of months. The problem was they were facing long-standing problems like the merger, economic downturn -- so many things that hit all at once the one year they were here," he said.
"To me, it's heartbreaking."
Then-Northwest returned to Dubuque with a ribbon- cutting and great fanfare in June 2008, five years after the airline pulled out of Dubuque. Its departure left American Eagle, part of the American Airlines family, Dubuque Regional Airport's sole carrier.
On Monday, Grierson said that he learned of the airline's plans to leave after airport officials asked some questions of the airline and then received formal word of plans to pull out.
Because Delta still was taking reservations in Dubuque through next May, Grierson said he was caught by surprise.
Delta spokeswoman Chris Kelly said the decision to leave was not related to the merger with Northwest.
"It's a direct result of weakening demand we're seeing through the system," she said. "This is certainly not a story that is unique to Dubuque."
The reference to the H1N1 virus in its press release touched on the broader problem the health issue has created and not a regional trend, Kelly said.
She added that Delta would consider returning to the area if interest and demand should increase in Dubuque.
"We try really hard to maintain good relationships with our airports and keep an eye on things," she said.
Delta provided a critical second hub, in Minneapolis to points westward.
"It's a big disappointment because people worked very hard in the community to bring additional air opportunities," said Dubuque County Supervisor Donna Smith. "We know the economy has slipped some, and that has to be part of it, I imagine.
"That's today. That doesn't mean we won't keep working to enhance our airport capacity and better serve the region. That's key transportation, right along with our highways."
Grierson stressed that Delta is not the airport's major carrier, American Eagle is.
"American is here, they like being here, they plan to continue being here," he said.
That relationship, however, has seemed tenuous as of late.
In March, the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors approved a one-year appropriation of $125,000 to serve as a revenue guarantee for airport services. The initiative was a collaboration with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of Dubuque and the Dubuque County Board.
Grierson told county leaders the measure was a short-term move to keep American Eagle's third flight, which would help solidify the airline's local presence. He has since said he's hopeful the money won't be needed.
At the time of the funding request, Smith asked if Delta would request similar support and what then?
"At that time, I would tell them I don't have the funds available. Is there something else we can negotiate?" Grierson said in March. "Worst-case scenario, we lose (Delta).
"Not that I want that, not that (Delta) wants that, but we will work with (Delta) to achieve self-sufficiency here, as well."
On Monday, Grierson said he hopes the money won't be needed.
"The truth is, I don't expect to see a great need for it, it's just a tool in the tool box if necessary," he said.
