Small airports 'shocked' and 'disappointed' after American Airlines suspends service at 15 airports

Steve Stockam and his team at Joplin Regional Airport in Missouri were "shocked" to learn American Airlines Group Inc. would not operate at their airport in October. American is Joplin's only commercial carrier, which makes the loss sting even more. What added to Stockam's surprise is the fact that conditions improved in July. Flights between Joplin and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport carried over 4,500 passengers with a 63-percent load factor for the month, he said. "We thought we were…