Delta TechOps Inks Five-Year Deal With New Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Customer Vision Airlines

Program expected to realize $9 million in MRO revenue


ATLANTA, Aug. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) and Vision Airlines, Inc. have reached a five-year deal, valued at approximately $9 million over the course of the agreement, to support Vision's aircraft maintenance program. Delta's Technical Operations division -- Delta TechOps, the largest airline MRO in North America -- will provide component, auxiliary power unit (APU) and landing gear maintenance, along with inventory support services for Vision's Boeing 767-200 aircraft as part of the deal.

"This is another example of Delta's TechOps professionals putting their highly valued skills and vast experience to good use," said Tony Charaf, senior vice president for Delta TechOps. "As the world's largest operator of 767s, Delta TechOps is perfectly positioned to perform this maintenance for Vision and our reputation for customer service and quality work continues to garner attention in the industry."

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Vision Airlines operates a 27-aircraft fleet which offers commercial passenger service, tour operations and charter services for a variety of customers including many Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. Government.

"It was very important that we select a maintenance provider with a proven record for safety and reliability, excellent customer service and in-depth experience in both operating and maintaining Boeing 767 aircraft," added Vision's President and Owner William S. Acor. "This partnership will provide our customers the best operational reliability as we continue to expand our service."

The agreement with Vision complements Delta TechOps' growing list of MRO customers, including World Airways, Air Berlin and AeroMexico. Already this year, TechOps has announced new or expand agreements with Mesa Air Group, Chromalloy and Pratt and Whitney. Delta TechOps currently maintains engines and components for a fleet of 120 767-300, -300ER and -400 aircraft for Delta, as well as 767 aircraft for dozens of other MRO customers.

"This partnership demonstrates the value Delta TechOps adds as we continue to expand our MRO business," Charaf said. "We are committed to providing premium product to our customers and additional revenue for Delta."

Vision Airlines is one of the largest fixed wing tour operations in Las Vegas, Nevada and is the only operator of the Dornier 228, Dornier 328 turboprop and Dornier 328 jet in the world. The company also operates Boeing 737's and Boeing 767's. Vision employs more than 375 employees including more than 70 pilots. Vision Airlines has offices in Las Vegas, Louisville, Atlanta and Washington DC. The company has operated since 1994.

Delta TechOps is the largest airline MRO in North America, earning more than $310 million in revenue in 2006. In addition to providing maintenance and engineering support for Delta's fleet of 440 aircraft, Delta TechOps serves more than 100 aviation and airline customers from around the world, specializing in high-skill work like engines, components, hangar and line maintenance. Delta TechOps employs more than 6,500 maintenance professionals and is one of the most experienced MRO providers in the world with more than seven decades of aviation expertise.

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Statements in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements regarding our estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections or strategies for the future, may be "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections and strategies reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the actions and decisions of our creditors and other third parties with continuing interests arising in connection with our Chapter 11 proceedings; the cost of aircraft fuel; the impact that our indebtedness will have on our financial and operating activities and our ability to incur additional debt; the restrictions that financial covenants in our financing agreements will have on our financial and business operations; labor issues; interruptions or disruptions in service at one of our hub airports; our increasing dependence on technology in our operations; our ability to retain management and key employees; the effects of terrorist attacks; and competitive conditions in the airline industry.

Additional information concerning risks and uncertainties that could cause differences between actual results and forward-looking statements is contained in Delta's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, filed on March 2, 2007.

Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on Delta's forward-looking statements, which represent Delta's views only as of April 30, 2007, and which Delta has no current intention to update.



            

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