New York will be a little harder to get to

Flyers between Charleston and New York can expect a shake-up in service soon.

Charleston International Airport will lose its two US Airways flights to New York City's La Guardia Airport on March 25, but it will gain one from Delta Air Lines to John F. Kennedy International Airport on June 7.

The changes are the result of a broader deal between the two carriers under which US Airways is trading takeoff and landing rights with Atlanta-based Delta. US Airways plans to concentrate on its shuttle service between Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York and expand its presence at Reagan National Airport outside the nation's capital.

In return, Delta will acquire more of the lucrative New York market at La Guardia, where it intends to create a hub.

"We are pulling down a lot of our service at La Guardia to focus on our core service areas," US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr said.

The net result will be one less flight between Charleston and a highly popular destination for local travelers.

"We hate to lose any flights, but this is not something that is out of the ordinary for the airline industry as they change routes," said Bill New, deputy airports director for Charleston County Aviation Authority. "It's too early to say if that will have a profound effect on us or not."

The new Delta flight to JFK on Long Island is a first for passengers from Charleston and will provide service to all three major airports serving the greater New York City area. United flies into New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan.

Delta, Charleston International's largest carrier, will expand its local departures to 19 a day in June and maintain its three flights to La Guardia, Delta spokesman Trebor Banstetter said.

"The main value of this flight for Charleston is that it will connect to our international hub at JFK," Banstetter said.

US Airways will continue to serve Charleston with 19 flights each day to Washington, Charlotte and Philadelphia.

Reach Warren L. Wise at 937-5524 or on Twitter at @warrenlancewise.