Delta ends Manila service

Aviation Updates Philippines – In a report from The Points Guy, American carrier Delta Airlines is said to indefinitely suspend flights to the Philippines and three other routes from the US as it continues to realign operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Delta Airlines Airbus A330-900neo taking off Runway 06 in Manila. Photo from RWY.MNL

The said flight to the Philippines is a fifth freedom international route from Seoul-Incheon to Manila operated by Delta. From Seoul, passengers were able to connect through Delta's routes to the US from South Korea.

A representative from Delta confirmed to The Points Guy that the four flights will be cut beginning now until at least May 2022. The following routes are:

• Atlanta (ATL) — Vancouver (YVR)
• Detroit (DTW) — Quad Cities/Moline, Illinois (MLI)
• New York/LaGuardia (LGA) — Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA)
• Seoul, South Korea (ICN) — Manila, Philippines (MNL)

In a statement sent to TPG, the Delta spokesperson said the flights to Manila are suspended indefinitely.

"With continuing travel restrictions and uncertain market situations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta will indefinitely suspend Seoul (ICN)-Manila (MNL) service. Passengers holding tickets will be eligible to receive a refund. Delta will continue to serve Manila via our trans-Pacific partners, including our joint venture partner Korean Air," the statement reads.

READ: Delta to commence Incheon-Manila flights by January 2021

Delta halted flights to Manila last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier relaunched flights to Manila in January 2021, this time originating from Seoul, as Delta strengthened its partnership with Korean Air and moved out of Tokyo-Narita.

The Seoul-Manila service from Delta was scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, aboard the 281-seat Airbus A330-900neo aircraft. However, TPG's data from Cirium revealed the carrier only operated ten flights on the route in January 2021.

With Delta leaving the Philippine market, this leaves United Airlines as the only US-flagged airline to operate in the country. Presently, United operates Guam-Manila flights aboard the Boeing 737 fleet.