One certainly wonders what happened behind closed doors that prompted this reversal…
Delta backtracks on pulling service to New York airport
New York’s Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) currently has a single commercial route, on Delta Connection, to Detroit (DTW). The short 378-mile flight operates once daily. Recently, Delta announced it would end this route as of February 14, 2026, leaving the airport without commercial service.
Of course no airport or community likes to lose commercial air service, given the economic impact that has. At the same time, if the economics don’t make sense, and if there are no Essential Air Service subsidies, it’s understandable that these kinds of routes don’t last.
Well, just over a week after the route cut was announced, Delta has backtracked on its decision, and plans to maintain this service. There may be a brief gap, but the flights will resume by the spring.
What’s the reason? Well, look no further than the statement from Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, who has thanked Governor Kathy Hochul for “for stepping up and getting Delta Air Lines service restored at the Greater Binghamton Airport.” He went on to state the following:
“This is a big win for our neighbors, our businesses, and everyone who depends on reliable air travel. Governor Hochul has been a true friend to Broome County and the entire Southern Tier, always listening and always delivering when it matters.”
“We also thank Senator Schumer for his leadership and all the folks in our community who rallied together to make this happen. And we’re especially thankful to Delta for believing in our region and bringing this important service back to Broome County. We’re going to keep working hard every single day to bring even more air service home.”
Meanwhile Senator Chuck Schumer has issued the following statement:
“Delta is the only commercial airline in Binghamton, making a world of difference for families and local businesses across the Southern Tier. When I first heard Delta was planning to end service at the Greater Binghamton Airport, I made it clear that this decision to permanently end service at Greater Binghamton Airport would leave thousands of New Yorkers across the region without access to air service and urged them to reconsider.”
Here’s what Governor Kathy Hochul has said:
“I am pleased that Delta has identified available aircraft in order to resume daily service at BGM in the spring. Preserving this flight is a win for the entire Southern Tier, ensuring that this newly modernized airport serves travelers for years to come and that is why I fought so hard to protect this lifeline for workers and businesses in the Binghamton area.”
This route reversal seems a little suspicious, no?
While airlines certainly pander to politicians to get what they want, network planning is supposed to be driven by financial considerations, rather than by soft political power (which isn’t to say that actually happens, but that’s how it should be). I’m not sure if the state or region was suddenly willing to give Delta some sort of incentives to keep this service, or what.
The tone of the statements by politicians and local officials sure makes it sound like Delta reversed course without any incentives, but instead, just due to pressure:
- I don’t think Schumer had to “make it clear” to Delta that ending a route would impact thousands of people, because that’s the case whenever an airline cuts a route
- I love how Governor Hochul states that “Delta has identified available aircraft” to continue operating this route, as if the issue wasn’t lack of profitability
Delta of course has a massive presence in New York, and it’s understandable that the airline doesn’t want to get on the bad side of the state’s most prominent politicians. So I suppose all it took for Delta to reverse course is to have some important people saying “hey, this will impact people.”
While nowhere close to being on the same level (at least based on what we know), this reminds me somewhat of the 2015 scandal that involved former United CEO Jeff Smisek, and ultimately led to his firing. Smisek had cozied up to the head of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), given United’s huge presence in the region.
The Port Authority executive made it clear that he had a home in Columbia (CAE), where he liked to spend weekends, and fondly remembered how Continental flew there back in the day from Newark (EWR). So United suddenly added that route, specifically timed for him, and in the process, got a lot of upside with the Port Authority.
Now, to be clear, it doesn’t seem that Schumer or Hochul are getting any direct benefit from this, other than looking out for their constituents. And I suppose that’s their job… but still…
Bottom line
Delta planned to end flights to New York’s Greater Binghamton Airport, leaving the airport without commercial service. However, after Governor Hochul and Senator Schumer made it clear what a negative impact this would have on the community, the airline backtracked, and committed to keeping the route.
That strikes me as political pressure, especially given how important of a state New York is for Delta. I’m kind of surprised that United doesn’t suddenly add a route to the airport out of Newark, given Kirby’s tune as of late (though at the moment he’s more into Republicans than Democrats, so…). 😉
What do you make of this Delta route reversal situation?
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