Delta Air Lines says it will file a proposal with the U.S. Department of Transportation for approval to subsidize air service between Meridian and Atlanta.

Delta announced in March that it would no longer offer passenger service between Meridian and Atlanta. Delta said it would discontinue service on June 16.

The USDOT issued an order prohibiting the suspension of service while it solicits and reviews proposals for replacement service, said Maureen Lofton, a spokeswoman for Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith.

Smith had written to Delta expressing the community’s concern about losing service.

Lofton said the prohibition order was issued because Meridian is designated as an Essential Air Service community.

Robert Cortelyou, senior vice president for network planning at Delta, wrote Smith this past week, saying Delta intended to file a proposal for subsidized service between Meridian and Atlanta.

Other carriers can file proposals with the USDOT for subsidized service to and from Meridian.