News Articles
Delta adds two new Southeast Asia routes
News Update
Delta Air Lines expands its option this week for passengers looking to fly from the Motor City to Southeast Asia.
The Atlanta-based airline launched new nonstop service Tuesday between Detroit and Seoul, the South Korean capital. Today, it begins service on a second nonstop transpacific flight between Detroit and Hong Kong, the Chinese trading port and former British protectorate.
The two new, direct routes mark milestones for Delta in an ongoing effort to expand its presence in Southeast Asia and position Detroit as its main gateway for travel to cities in the Far East.
The airline began daily Detroit-Shanghai service May 1. It hopes to secure final regulatory approval this year to start flying between Detroit and Tokyo's centrally located Haneda Airport in early 2011.
Delta received the preliminary go-ahead last month to begin service on this route but other airlines can appeal the order.
"This is the beginning of many inaugurals," said Delta CEO Richard Anderson during an event held Tuesday at Detroit Metropolitan Airport celebrating Delta's first Detroit-Seoul flight.
Despite enduring years of economic hardship, Michigan is still a strong market for Delta, Anderson said. The recession is easing and the automotive industry has shown signs of a rebound, he said.
"I think we're past the tough spot in the economy," he added.
China also is a "very important" market for aviation and Delta hopes to grow significantly there over the next few years, Anderson said.
Additionally, Delta will begin direct twice-weekly flights between Detroit and Sao Paulo, Brazil, in late October.
These flight additions come nearly six months after Delta put the final touches on a merger with Northwest Airlines. The merger made Delta the world's largest airline. Detroit is Delta's second-largest hub with 579 departing flights daily.
Source: Christina Rogers, detnews.com – 2nd June 2010
