Delta Airlines is considering ending flights to and from Brunswick's Golden Isles Airport, a decision that could leave the tourism-dependent area without a commercial carrier.

The airline currently flies three flights a day between Brunswick and Atlanta.

Airport director Steve Brian says, the flights are crucial to industry and tourism.

"Our community is taking it very seriously in that we’ve had service at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport for 37 years from Delta or one of its affiliate carriers," Brian says. "And with the economy in its current situation, I’m sure all the airlines are looking at the routes that they fly and whether they’re viable."

Delta's Brunswick business has fallen off from 50,000 annual passengers 10 years ago to 27,000 last year.

And despite $10 million in terminal upgrades, many locals choose to fly from Jacksonville.

Still, if the airline discontinued flights, Brian thinks, others carriers would step in.

"The economic impact to the community would be significant," Brian says. "Those [passengers] are all business and tourism folks spending money in the community."

Airline officials haven't said when they'll make a decision to pull-out or not.

Local officials plan to meet with them in August to make their case to stay.

Tags: Delta, Glynn County, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, GPB News, Delta Air Lines, Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, Steve Brian