Delta Air Lines has announced the addition of 15 new routes to the world’s fastest growing economies in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The move offers increased connectivity between domestic hubs beginning January 2009 and improves customers’ access to destinations worldwide.
“As America’s flag carrier to the world, offering service to more destinations than any other airline is an advantage our customers count on,” said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president of network planning and revenue management. “Furthermore, smart growth to unique and emerging markets across the globe is a key ingredient of Delta’s proven business strategy. Delta continues to hone a distinct and strategic global network that capitalizes on new opportunities created by our recent merger with Northwest; our leading position in New York—the world’s largest business market; and the unparalleled connectivity of Atlanta—the world’s largest passenger hub.
Delta’s long-haul expansion for 2009 will be focused in three regions:
Transpacific: Delta plans to add three new nonstop transpacific flights between the U.S. and Tokyo-Narita, including new nonstop flights from Salt Lake City and New York-JFK, a second daily flight from Atlanta and daily service connecting customers beyond Tokyo to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Africa: Delta will expand its industry-leading position in Africa with new flights between Atlanta and Nairobi, Kenya and Cape Town, South Africa (via Dakar, Senegal). There will also be flights between Atlanta and Monrovia, Liberia; Abuja, Nigeria; Luanda, Angola; and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (all via Sal Island, Cape Verde); and between New York-JFK and Lagos, Nigeria. Delta also will introduce its first daily nonstop service to South Africa with flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg.
Europe/Middle East: Delta will expand its leading position across the Atlantic with the only nonstop flights operated to Gothenberg, Sweden, and Valencia, Spain, both from New York-JFK. Delta also will expand its service at New York-JFK with nonstop service to Prague, Czech Republic, and Zurich, Switzerland (seasonal), as well as the addition of a second nonstop flight between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv.
Taking advantage of new opportunities created by its recent merger with Northwest, Delta’s proposed new flights between Atlanta, Salt Lake City and New York and its hub at Tokyo-Narita open service to nine of Asia’s top 20 markets not served by Delta prior to the combination, including a new flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Delta’s flight between Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita is the first and only trans-Pacific service from the Rocky Mountain region.
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