The Caribbean may want to invest more aggressively in Texas, long viewed as one of the more resilient U.S. source markets.
Delta Air Lines appears to be thinking along similar lines.
In a recent interview on Airlines Confidential Podcast, CEO Ed Bastian singled out Austin and, longer term, San Antonio as markets where the carrier sees room to grow, acknowledging that Delta is “not as big in Texas as we’d like.”
The opportunity for the Caribbean is not limited to securing new nonstop service. A stronger Delta presence in Texas can also feed Caribbean-bound travelers through its powerful Atlanta hub, where the airline serves dozens of international destinations including a robust Caribbean network.
There is already evidence that the Caribbean can successfully tap this market. Cayman Airways launched seasonal nonstop service between Austin and Grand Cayman in May. The route performed strongly enough for the airline to announce an expanded season beginning in December 2026.
Bastian did not specifically mention the Caribbean, but his message should command attention across the region: Delta intends to deepen its position in Texas while pursuing greater international growth. For Caribbean destinations, that creates an opportunity to build even greater demand now — whether the traveler ultimately reaches the region nonstop from Texas or connects seamlessly through Atlanta.
