Major Airline to Drop Three Key Cities as Passengers Face Fewer Flight Options
American Airlines Ends Nonstop Flights to Santa Maria, Tijuana and Doha This Year After All Three Routes Fail to Meet Performance Targets
The aviation expert weighs in on three routes crossed by major airlines
American Airlines has reduced flights to three destinations across the United States, Mexico and the Middle East this year, leaving some travelers with fewer flight options.
The airline has suspended service to Santa Maria, California. Tijuana, Mexico; and Doha, Qatar, according to aviation outlet Simple Flying, which cited data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
The cuts left Santa Maria without service from a legacy US carrier, while Tijuana lost its only nonstop route operated by a US carrier.
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American Airlines has pulled out of both destinations, cutting routes from Phoenix to Santa Maria and Tijuana.
In Santa Maria, Allegiant Air is the only commercial airline serving the airport with flights to Las Vegas, according to Simple Flying.
American Airlines has suspended service to three destinations across the United States, Mexico and the Middle East this year due to route performance and network changes. (iStock)
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways has taken over the Philadelphia-Doha route, restoring non-stop service between the two cities following the American withdrawal.
Regarding the cancellation of service to Santa Maria, American Airlines said the decision was based on performance.
American Airlines began serving Santa Maria, Calif., under the American Eagle brand through a partnership with SkyWest, a company spokesperson told local broadcaster KEYT earlier this year.
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"Unfortunately, flights to SMX did not meet performance expectations and SkyWest has notified American that it will discontinue service effective May 7," the official said.
In June, American Airlines permanently cut its Philadelphia-to-Doha route after earlier flights were suspended due to regional hostilities, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The track failed to meet performance expectations.
"As part of optimizing our network and fleet, American has made the difficult decision to discontinue service to Doha, Qatar," American Airlines spokesman Barry Harper said in a statement.
In August, American Airlines suspended service to Tijuana, Mexico, after the route failed to meet performance expectations.
American Airlines routinely reviews its routes to ensure "optimal aircraft deployment," a spokesperson told AirlineGeeks that service to Tijuana did not meet "performance expectations."
American Airlines cited efforts to optimize its network and fleet when it announced the suspension of service to Doha, Qatar earlier this year. (iStock)
"If airlines don't consistently make money on a route, they'll pull out, and that happens all the time," Arroyo says. "It's part of the economic reality of running an airline efficiently."
Arroyovi said: Passengers should monitor the routes and ticket prices when planning future trips.
He encouraged travelers to "be aware of what's going on" with their planned itineraries and "do a little research" before booking their trip.
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Arroyo also urged travelers planning to travel to the Middle East to closely monitor their flights and consider backup arrangements.
American Airlines has completely pulled out of Santa Maria and Tijuana by cutting its Phoenix routes. (Li Rui/Xinhua)
"If you are traveling to the Middle East and the Gulf region, I would advise all travelers and all customers to be careful," he said.
"Go online. Go to the company's website. See what's going on... If it looks like flights on your route might be canceled, try to lock in those prices or make alternate plans."
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