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SALT LAKE CITY -- Delta Air Lines once touted Salt Lake City as its fastest-growing hub.
But since January, Delta has announced plans to cut 16 routes from Salt Lake City.
The latest are flights to Yuma, Ariz.; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Durango, Colo.; and Pittsburgh.
The airline, like others, is looking for ways to cope with rising fuel prices.
Delta is trying to reduce its nationwide capacity by 13 percent by the end of the year.
"It's a reality check on the new world we live in of high fuel costs," said Richard Nelson, CEO of the Utah Technology Council, which promotes development of technology businesses in the state.
Lane Beattie of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce said there's been little outcry about the cuts so far.
"We are confident that Delta is being responsible," Beattie said. "But that doesn't make the business community pleased, because the more flights we have to more locations, the easier it is for us to do our work."
Executives and employees of local businesses are not having trouble getting to places they need to reach, according to Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
But more cuts -- or cuts to destinations such as Boston, New York or Los Angeles -- could sting.
"At some point, you start to get concerned. But there are certain flights from the state of Utah to the [rest of the] United States and other parts of the world that are still as strong as ever," Perry said.
A bigger effect might be felt with rising ticket prices.
"The increase in fares are certainly affecting our bottom line. We've seen an increase in prices anywhere from $175 to $300" for Regence BlueCross BlueShield employees flying between Salt Lake and the insurance company's headquarters in Portland, Ore., spokeswoman Tauni Everett said.
Although Delta is the dominant carrier out of Salt Lake City, Jet-Blue and Continental are also cutting routes.
• Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
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