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United Airlines will end services at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

In a statement on Thursday afternoon to Get The Coast, United Airlines confirmed that the airline will be ending services at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. First reported by the Northwest Florida Daily News, United said that part of the decision to end flights at the airport was “due to changes in the long-term sustainability […]

📸 United Airlines Media

In a statement on Thursday afternoon to Get The Coast, United Airlines confirmed that the airline will be ending services at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.

First reported by the Northwest Florida Daily News, United said that part of the decision to end flights at the airport was “due to changes in the long-term sustainability of this particular route.”

United will end service to Destin-Fort Walton Beach in March 2022.

“We are working with customers impacted by the change to help them make alternate plans,” said company spokesperson Charles Hobart.

According to Hobart, “many different factors determine a successful route” for United.

“Our decisions include careful evaluation of our overall network, fleet, resources at our regional partners and yields,” he added. “With that in mind, we have determined that this particular route is not sustainable for the long-term.”

When asked if this was a permanent decision, Hobart said “as we do with all markets, we’ll continue to evaluate the feasibility of returning based on the operational and economic environment.”

Airport Director Tracy Stage told Get The Coast that this was an unexpected announcement from United, but added that they “knew they had issues with pilot shortages and the fact they were vacating numerous markets.”,

According to Stage, United is taking a 1 year hiatus and returning next Spring.

As far as day-to-day operations goes, this will not impact the airport as United “didn’t have a a big footprint at VPS,” added Stage.

“Their gate is in high demand,” he added.

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Community Comments

“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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