Delta Air Lines will terminate membership in Airlines for America in 2016, largely because the company differs with the association's other members on key policy positions.

A4A announced Tuesday that Delta was leaving the group. The passenger airline company is one of 11 members of the association. Others include American Airlines, United and JetBlue Airways. (A4A also has one associate member: Air Canada.)

In a statement, A4A CEO Nick Calio said Delta's move was not unexpected because the company didn't agree with the association's other members on issues like the need to modernize the nation's air control traffic system.

"As an association we work collaboratively in the best interests of our members and the customers and communities they serve, and are most effective advocating for the traveling and shipping public when we speak with a unified industry voice," Calio said.

Still, Delta is the largest airline company in the world in terms of passengers, according to figures compiled by The Economist. It also pays $5 million in annual dues to A4A—a not inconsiderable amount for an association that reported $34 million in revenue in 2013, according to tax filings.

Delta spokeswoman Kate Modolo told USA Today her company believes its membership dues to A4A can be used more effectively in other ways.

"The $5 million that Delta pays in annual dues to A4A can be better used to invest in employees and products to further enhance the Delta experience, and to support what we believe is a more efficient way of communicating in Washington on issues that are important to Delta customers and employees," Modolo said. http://usat.ly/1P4U82a

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