ATLANTA, Sept. 2, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delta Air Lines' (NYSE:DAL) SkyMiles(r) members can now provide support for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by donating miles through the SkyWish(tm) program to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army SkyWish charities quickly from Delta's Web sites, delta.com and flysong.com. Delta is jumpstarting donations with a total of two million miles - one million to each charity - and customers wishing to make cash donations can link directly from delta.com and flysong.com to Web sites for both the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the vast number of people affected by this devastating event, including our customers as well as our own Delta employees and their families. We hope our contributions will help the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army provide crucial relief to those facing enormous uncertainty and hardship," said Jerry Grinstein, Delta's chief executive officer. "Donating miles to our SkyWish partners is one way SkyMiles members can lend their support and help make a difference during this difficult time."
On Thursday, Sept. 1, Delta CEO Jerry Grinstein and other Delta employees flew a relief flight with water and other emergency supplies to the New Orleans airport and returned with approximately 150 evacuees. Going forward, Delta will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to operate relief shuttle flights out of New Orleans. Delta employees are currently making donations and gathering supplies to send to the city.
Miles donated to the America Red Cross and Salvation Army will help send relief workers to the affected areas to provide much needed services and supplies. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are working to provide food, shelter and basic necessities for those in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and other disasters.
Mileage donations can be made via e-mail at delta.bids@delta.com or by fax at 404-773-1945. Donations also may be made by via the U.S. Postal Service to: Delta Air Lines, Inc., SkyMiles Service Center, Dept. 654, P.O. Box 20543, Atlanta, GA 30320-2543. There is a 5,000-mile minimum donation. SkyMiles members should include their SkyMiles account number, the amount of miles to be donated and note their charity of choice. SkyWish donations are not tax deductible for Delta Air Lines or SkyMiles members.Individuals may visit delta.com/skywish for more information on donating miles and Delta's SkyWish program.
Delta SkyMiles members earn miles by flying Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers, Delta AirElite and Delta's SkyTeam partners. The program offers additional mileage-building opportunities through SkyMiles partners such as the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, SkyMilesShopping.com, participating hotels, car rental companies, telecommunication services, restaurants, floral and gift retailers and financial, mortgage and realty services.
Delta Air Lines is the world's second-largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offering daily flights to 487 destinations in 88 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem frequent flier miles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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