Delta Air Lines suspends RDU–Las Vegas route amid higher fuel costs

Delta Air Lines is temporarily suspending its nonstop flights between Raleigh-Durham International Airport (North Carolina) and Las Vegas, citing rising jet fuel prices as a contributing factor.

The airline will pause its nonstop service between Raleigh-Durham and Las Vegas from June 2 through September 8, News&Observer reported. Delta described the move as part of its routine summer network planning but acknowledged that higher fuel costs factored into the decision.

Earlier this month, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline expects about $2 billion in extra fuel costs from April to June, driven by higher global oil prices linked to conflict in Iran. The unrest has disrupted energy infrastructure in the Middle East and impacted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for roughly 20% of global oil supply.

In response to rising costs, Delta plans to reduce about 3.5% of its flights during the period and has already suspended or adjusted several routes.

RDU officials said they are not aware of other airlines cutting flights from the airport due to fuel prices. Meanwhile, passengers traveling between the Triangle and Las Vegas still have nonstop options on Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Airlines across the industry have raised fares and baggage fees to offset fuel expenses, which surged after geopolitical tensions escalated earlier this year. Although jet fuel prices have eased slightly in recent days, they remain about twice as high as last year, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Other carriers are also adjusting operations. Air Canada recently announced it would suspend five routes, including two serving New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, citing fuel costs as a key factor.

“Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, affecting some lower profitability routes and flights which are now no longer economically feasible,” the carrier said in a statement. “Schedule adjustments, including some frequency reductions, are being made in response.”