Delta Air Lines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to offer customers the first and only nonstop flights between the world's largest airline hub in Atlanta and Shanghai.<\/p>\n
The application officially launches Delta's case for entry into the U.S.-China market under the 2004 U.S.-China Air Services Agreement.<\/p>\n
\"Delta is without question the best choice for the next airline designation to China,\" said Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein. \"As the airline serving more worldwide destinations than any other carrier and as the steward of the world's largest airline hub in Atlanta, we are confident that this new route will provide a significant boost to trade and tourism worldwide and unparalleled access for customers traveling to and from China.<\/p>\n
Delta says its service would provide a much-needed link between fast-growing communities in the southeastern U.S. and economies across mainland China. In the filing, Delta proposes to provide customers with daily, year-round nonstop service between Atlanta and Shanghai, beginning March 25, 2008.<\/p>\n
\"Delta's filing is just the latest in a long line of good news coming from our hometown airline,\" Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said. \"Delta's international focus is a tremendous complement to our new Global Georgia initiative, and in particular, the opening of our office in China this year. We will continue to support this great Georgia company as it connects our state to new destinations across the world, boosting Georgia's economic development and tourism efforts.\"<\/p>\n
Delta says the 55 million people in the southeastern United States are dramatically underserved in terms of nonstop and one-stop service to China. Delta stands ready to fill this void by offering the world's first nonstop service from the Southeast via Atlanta by 2008, and is actively working with government, civic and business leaders on both continents to make it happen. This includes providing technical aviation assistance to the Chinese in the areas of air traffic services and flight routing, working with numerous Chinese organizations to lay the groundwork for a successful service launch, attending multiple conferences and workshops focused on China air service in the U.S. and assisting in establishing a consular office for Atlanta in China.<\/p>\n
\"China is one of the most significant export markets for Georgia and the Southeastern United States. We will continue to strengthen our relationship with the People's Republic of China to help us achieve our long-term goals of winning the next consulate, new passenger air routes and new business,\" said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. \"Delta Air Lines — Atlanta's hometown carrier — combined with the strength of the world's largest hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, is well positioned to provide positive customer and economic benefits with the new nonstop service to Shanghai.\"<\/p>\n
Delta has been active in the China market since 1987 and continues to expand its presence to serve this growing market. In September 2006, Delta opened its third China sales office in Shanghai, complementing existing offices in Beijing and Guangzhou.<\/p>\n
Delta would provide daily nonstop service between Atlanta and Shanghai using its flagship Boeing 777 aircraft in a two-class configuration featuring BusinessElite, Delta's award-winning business class service. Additionally, Delta plans to introduce fully horizontal lie-flat seats on its Boeing 777 fleet beginning in 2008, with new in-seat entertainment system offering on-demand, digital video and music at every suite and a reclining seat that adjusts to multiple comfort positions, including a completely flat surface that offers customers a 6-foot 3-inch bed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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