Suspends Service at Texarkana, Ark

Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) will close its Texarkana, Ark., maintenance base effective April 30, 2003, to refocus its efforts on regional jet maintenance at a new jet base in Baton Rouge, La. With the closure of the Texarkana maintenance facility, ASA also will suspend service between Dallas/Ft. Worth and the Texarkana Regional Airport on April 30.

The 67 ASA team members employed at the Texarkana airport and maintenance base will be eligible for transfer to other ASA locations. Customers who have booked travel to or from Texarkana after April 30 will be contacted by Delta reservations personnel and re-accommodated on alternate flights.

"ASA's decision to close the Texarkana base and to discontinue daily air service was made with great consideration of the impact it will have on the Texarkana community and on our Texarkana team members," said Sam Watts, ASA's vice president -- Planning and Development. "Texarkana has played an extremely important role in our company's history and we are grateful to the community, the State of Arkansas and especially to the region's capable and highly dedicated workforce for their support over the last 16 years.

"Discontinuing service to any market is a very difficult decision," Watts said. "However, without an aircraft maintenance base in Texarkana, there is not sufficient demand for regularly scheduled Delta Connection service at Texarkana Regional Airport."

ASA's closing of the Texarkana base is part of the airline's continuing transition from turboprop aircraft to newer, more efficient regional jets. ASA opened its Texarkana maintenance base in December 1986 to support a new hub operation at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. Delta Connection service at Texarkana, operated by ASA, began Dec. 15, 1986. ASA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, operates more than 800 flights each day to 102 airports in 27 states, Canada and Mexico.

FMI: www.flyasa.com, www.delta.com