Delta may drop flying in 5 MI cities

DETROIT (AP) - Delta Air Lines Inc. is looking to drop money-losing flights in 24 small cities, including five in Michigan, putting some of them at risk of losing air service altogether.

Delta says it has been losing $14 million a year on the flights, which are concentrated in the nation's midsection. Michigan cities include Pellston, Alpena, Iron Mountain, Escanaba and Sault Ste. Marie.

Some flights are only 12 percent full on average. Many are on Saab turboprop planes, which Delta is retiring.

Federal subsidies help pay for flying in 16 of the cities. Other airlines can bid for those subsidies if Delta pulls out. The airline says it will ask for federal subsidies in the other eight cities. It said it can't afford to keep flying to those cities without a subsidy.