Besides the fact that Delta has stopped their non-stop flight to Atlanta from Sioux Falls, now Allegiant pilots may strike;
Pilots at Allegiant Air are prepared to strike if the airline doesn’t come to an agreement with them.
The dispute revolves around a scheduling system, which the pilots say has negatively impacted their lives and their families.
Also add that the airlines pay very low wages to ground crew and we could see many issues at the airport if they don’t start diversifying options for consumers. I have often wondered why it is so difficult for the state’s largest city to have good, reliable air service.
The times I have used Delta’s* direct connection to Atlanta the flights have been full.
*Delta has only ONE direct connection to Atlanta, their hub, which leaves Sioux Falls in the early morning and then returns direct (Atlanta to Sioux Falls) in the evening.
Why would Delta drop this route?
No Allegiant in town might be a good thing actually:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/allegiant-air-the-budget-airline-flying-under-the-radar/
The airport has seen growth. They’re expanding baggage claim now. Airlines regard here as end service. It’s where they send small planes and don’t care if there’s a schedule. Allegiant has had a good market. They’ve had problems with inferior equipment and are busy replacing MD-80’s with new Airbuses. Pilots have picked a convenient time for demands. Delta has service to both Minneapolis and Atlanta. United gets us to Denver and Chicago for connections. American has come in with flights to Dallas, Phoenix, and Chicago. For a city of 170k, air service is above average. What’s lacking is regional competition. I can fly to Southeast Asia cheaper than to just Chicago. Airline tricks with pricing, overbooking, capacity, and schedule makes driving to Omaha or MSP worth considering.