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| Photo Delta Air Lines |
As a direct result of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic Delta, like virtually every airline around the world has seen passenger demand drop more dramatically than at any other time in history. Delta has been forced to reduce capacity right across its route network, which in turn means it will need to slice is fleet by about half, parking more than 600 mainline and regional aircraft in the last two months alone.
The airline has confirmed this week that it will retire the MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft earlier than previously planned, with both aircraft types exiting the fleet effective June 2020. The 149-seat MD-88 was previously set to retire by the end of 2020. As of February this year, prior to the coronavirus-driven fleet reduction, there were 47 MD-88s and 29 MD-90s operating.
Both aircraft operated across much of Delta’s domestic network and have been workhorses for the airline.
Delta continues to evaluate its broader fleet plan and will consider additional aircraft retirements to focus on a modern, more simplified fleet going forward.
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| Photo Delta Air Lines |
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| Image Delta Air Lines |
