ATLANTA, Sept. 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- In just over three weeks, Delta Air Lines' (NYSE:DAL) SkyMiles(r) members have donated more than 46 million miles -- which equates to nearly 2,000 award seats -- to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army through the airline's SkyWish(tm) program. Due to the ongoing demand for relief in the area, the airline is encouraging members to continue donating miles to support Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita clean-up efforts.
"The generous contributions from our SkyMiles members are making a difference in the lives of thousands of people who were impacted in the Gulf Coast region," said Jeff Robertson, managing director of the SkyMiles program. "This tremendous outpouring of support shows that many small, positive actions can make a significant difference in the lives of countless others. Our customers continue to prove that good really does go around."
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Delta kicked off its charitable hurricane relief campaign by donating one million miles each to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army on Sept. 2, 2005, and also encouraged SkyMiles members to donate miles. The miles provided to the America Red Cross and Salvation Army have sent relief workers to the affected areas to provide much-needed services and supplies. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army also are working to provide food, shelter and basic necessities for those in the Gulf Coast.
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 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 name, phone number, 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.
In other contributions for the Gulf Coast region, Delta CEO Jerry Grinstein and Delta employees flew a relief flight on Sept. 1, 2005, with water and emergency supplies to the New Orleans airport and returned with approximately 150 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. Delta employees also have donated tons of supplies including plywood, food, water, toilet paper and generators to the affected region. Additionally, the airline has partnered with government relief agencies to operate flights into and out of the region to bring evacuees from the path of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to safe locations throughout the country.
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 502 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.
All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/skymiles. Partner offers subject to the terms and conditions of each individual offer. Partners subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. (c)2005 Delta Air Lines, Inc.
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