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Delta plans new flight to Detroit from China

By Ma Zhenhuan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-13 07:43

Delta Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to the Chinese market on Monday by announcing a new nonstop service between China and the US.

In addition to its existing Shanghai-Atlanta route, the carrier plans to offer nonstop services between Shanghai and Detroit from June.

Delta will operate the Shanghai-Detroit sector with Boeing 747-400 aircraft, having 65 lying-flat seats in the business class and 338 coach seats.

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"We want to affirm the importance of China to our global network and and to launch the brand here," said Richard Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Airlines, on Monday during his first visit to Asia following the merger with Northwest Airlines in October.

"Northwest has served China for many decades, going back to the 1940s and early 1950s, and we are continuing that commitment by expanding services to China," said Anderson.

China currently accounts for less than 5 percent of Delta's global revenue, and the American company regards China as a top priority for growth opportunities.

He remained upbeat about the airline's future, citing a cost reduction of $5 billion a year due to falling jet fuel prices.

"We expect Delta to have a profitable year in 2009, and we expect the economy to continue to improve in the fourth quarter of 2009," said Anderson.

"(Considering) the fuel price reduction, and enormous benefit created by the merger, and optimistic growth in China and Africa, we expect 2009 to be a solid year, with continued improvement in our economy and our underlined business into 2010."