Grounding 744s ?

well it appears they are grounding the 747-200 freighters at the end of the year..but it is labeled suspended (as they utilize the slots for the Passenger Divison into Japan) which makes sense...(they wouldn't give those slots up) so basically they will maintain the frequencies, but it will just look differently...

maybe down the road if the global economic situation improves they will have the option adjusting the slots back again to cargo..(they could then utilize a modified 744 as a freighter some point in the future if warranted)..

maybe utilize some of those slots for an interport focus?
 
Delta could better use the 744's over its entire route system with GRU in the winter and JFK/ATL to Europe(LHR) in the summer. 744's might work to Tel Aviv too, Atlanta to NRT is also a clever use of the Jumbo. MSP & DTW to NRT is not the best use of the 744's, with some new 777LR's nonstop flights to more of Asia are doable from DTW, a far better positioned hub for polar flights.