INDIANAPOLIS -- When it first took off in May of 2018, Delta Flight 500, Indianapolis to Paris non-stop, was a big deal.
Airport and city leaders had worked for some time to get a trans-Atlantic flight.
Now, Delta 500 has become the latest casualty of COVID-19. The airline, which suspended the flight in March, has extended the suspension with hopeful resumption early next year.
"We continue to evaluate our schedule and are adjusting as needed based on customer demand, government travel directives and CDC guidelines," said airlines spokesman Drake Castaneda.
International air travel has been nearly non-existent since March and domestic isn't much better. The airlines are losing billion of dollars with most of their planes mothballed.
Stephanie McFarland, spokesperson for Indianapolis International Airport, expressed optimism that the flight will be back one day. "When the airport first landed the Delta Indy to Paris flight connecting Hoosiers to the rest of the world, it was done through the efforts of a strong diverse group including city and state leader, local tourism, and the business community," she said.
"As recovery begins, we will again lean on this group to enhance our continued conversations with Delta Air lines. We look forward to flying together again," said McFarland.
