ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) has adjusted its plans for some key international markets in order to accommodate a strong demand outlook for the upcoming summer travel season. Beginning this June, Delta will:
* Accelerate the start of New York-JFK to Lyon, France, by beginning service on June 3 instead of the initial date of July 15 * Increase the frequency of New York-JFK to Cape Town, South Africa, via Dakar, Senegal, from three to four times weekly, starting June 3* * Increase the frequency of New York-JFK to Malaga, Spain, from three to four times weekly, starting June 4 * Increase the frequency of New York-JFK to Orly, France, from four to five times weekly, starting June 2, in preparation of daily service beginning in July. * Increase the frequency on Atlanta to Venice, Italy, from four to five times weekly, starting June 2 * Add a second flight on Atlanta to Sao Paulo, Brazil, five times weekly from June 15 to August 15*
"These changes point to the success of our international strategy and the public response for the broad reach of our international network," said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president Network and Revenue Management. "We are very enthusiastic about the outlook of our new routes for 2008, particularly those in conjunction with AirFrance, which will further establish Delta as a preferred carrier for international travel," he added.
Among Delta's new routes for 2008 are the much-anticipated nonstop service between Atlanta and Shanghai, China starting March 30, as well as nonstop service to London Heathrow with daily flights from New York-JFK, Atlanta and Los Angeles beginning March 29.
Over the past two years Delta has added more international destinations to its network than any other U.S. airline. This year alone it will add more than 25 markets in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America/Caribbean.
Delta also announced it will postpone the start of its New York-JFK to Nairobi, Kenya, service via Dakar, Senegal, due to current market conditions. That flight is now scheduled to start Dec. 8. Additionally, Delta's newly proposed New York-JFK to Lagos, Nigeria, service will be postponed to Dec 11. Existing service between Atlanta and Lagos will continue on a daily basis.
Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 314 destinations in 59 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 36 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 600 weekly flights to 65 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on nearly 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. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 479 worldwide destinations in 107 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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Los Angeles-Heathrow service operated by SkyTeam partner Air France.
* Additional service is subject to foreign government approval