ATLANTA, Oct. 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Whether hitting the famous beaches at Copacabana or Ipanema, ascending the rocky spire of Corcovado, or soaking in the Dionysian spirit of Carnaval, customers now have access to more of Brazil's charms with Delta Air Lines' new daily service from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro, beginning Saturday, October 1.
"Customers now have more choices to fly directly to either of Brazil's two largest cities -- Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo -- from Delta's convenient Latin American gateway in Atlanta," said James Sarvis, director-Latin America and Caribbean. "International markets are growing in customer demand, and Brazil represents a very attractive and strategic tourist and business destination for travelers. Delta is pleased to be adding service to this rapidly growing market as we expand our international destinations."
Delta is celebrating the new route with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 p.m. at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, attended by a Georgia trade delegation headed by Doug Blissit, v.p.-Public Affairs; Craig Lesser of Georgia's Department of Economic Development; and Roberto Abdenur, Brazilian Ambassador to the U.S. A customer event at Lenox Mall Saturday and Sunday with Coke, and gate activities on Saturday will feature promoters dressed in traditional Brazilian attire distributing Brazilian food/appetizers in addition to Brazilian music playing in the gate area. Passengers will also receive inaugural gifts onboard.
Delta's new Rio service is part of its continued focus on connecting customers to popular destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since the beginning of 2005, the airline has initiated service to seven destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean and announced new service to an additional 12 locations.
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.
A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on the Delta Connection carriers: Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Comair; and SkyTeam partner Aeromexico.
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