Fliers in smaller markets could have fewer options next year if Southwest Airlines follows through on plans to brace itself from rising fuel costs by dropping routes.

The bright side, reports The Wall Street Journal, is that Southwest is choosing to cut flights, presumably in small cities, rather than increase prices. The carrier has increased fares eight times since December.

Southwest, which acquired AirTran Airways in May, announced earlier this week that it will stop nearly 90 weekly AirTran flights.

If you fly Southwest regularly into the sticks, are there particular flights you’re worried the company will cut?

Southwest Preps for Turbulence [The Wall Street Journal]

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