(Des Moines, IA) -- Travelers in and out of the Des Moines International Airport will have fewer options in November, after recent cuts announced by the nation's airlines. Airport Director Kevin Foley says they're expecting a 37-percent flight reduction, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He says that might mean fewer daily flights in and out of Des Moines to Chicago. He also says the cuts will impact all airlines. Foley notes, however, the flights could be restored in December. He says airlines are anxiously awaiting news of another federal stimulus bill.
Foley says early holiday bookings in Des Moines had been strong, but have slowed recently. He says airport traffic in Des Moines is much better than it was in the spring, when travel was off by 70-percent. Currently bookings are down about 40-percent compared to last year.
Foley notes if you're thinking about flying, airports and airlines are taking extensive COVID-19 measures. He says at the Des Moines Airport there's additional cleaning. Travelers are encouraged to wear a mask.
He says on the plane, the air is re-circulated every three minutes thru a special filter. He says there are studies showing the air on an airplane is cleaner than in most hospitals. He also says extensive cleaning and sanitizing is done on the plane between flights. Passengers are required to wear a mask, and those who don't are placed on a "no-fly" list.
(In related news, American Airlines has announced a temporary suspension of service to 14 airports, including the Dubuque Regional Airport.)