ATLANTA, Oct. 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Beginning next spring, Delta Air Lines' (NYSE:DAL) customers will be part of history when the airline starts the only nonstop service between the U.S. Southeast and Israel. On March 27, 2006, Delta will begin daily service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, as part of its ongoing international expansion to popular global business and tourist destinations.
"As part of our stepped up transformation plan, Delta is expanding to the world's high-potential business and leisure destinations where our customers want to travel," said Delta's Chief Executive Officer Gerald Grinstein. "This new service makes Atlanta the second U.S. city with nonstop service to Israel and bolsters Hartsfield-Jackson's status as the pre-eminent gateway to America for global travelers. We expect Delta's presence in the U.S.-Tel Aviv market to enhance economic growth and tourism opportunities for both the U.S. and Israel."
Delta's newest international service builds on a wave of expansion planned for 2006 between Georgia and the world, including recently announced routes between Atlanta and Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark, both of which begin next spring.
To further build support for the new service, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue will lead a technology and trade mission to Israel in November sponsored by the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The mission will generate new business opportunities for Atlanta and the Southeast while helping promote Delta's new service to Israeli business leaders.
"I am proud that Georgia will become the first southeastern state with nonstop service to Israel," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This new route will boost commerce and tourism between Georgia and Israel, which have grown exponentially over the last several years." In 2004, Israel ranked 22nd among Georgia export destinations with exports totaling $173 million.
The Israel Department/Division of Tourism worked tirelessly to bring this historic service to Tel Aviv from Atlanta and are eager to welcome U.S. travelers to Israel.
"We are delighted by Delta's decision to begin flying nonstop flights from Atlanta to Israel," said Israel's Minister of Tourism Avraham Hirchson. "These flights will provide a much needed addition to the available capacity of seats for visitors from North and South America wishing to fulfill their dream to visit Israel. The demand for travel to Israel continues to increase, and we foresee 2006 as a record year. We welcome Delta to Israel."
Customers will enjoy the comfort of Boeing 777 widebody aircraft on Delta's new flight between Atlanta and Tel Aviv which includes the carrier's award-winning BusinessElite(tm) service. Delta's in-flight experience will offer customers flying to Israel Kosher meal selections. In addition, these new flights bring multiple opportunities for freight forwarders and cargo shippers.
Delta's new daily non-stop service between Atlanta and Tel Aviv beginning March 27, 2006 (b):
Flight Departs Arrives
152 Atlanta at 10:45 p.m. Tel Aviv at 5:25 p.m.
(the following day)
153(a) Tel Aviv at 11:45 p.m. Atlanta at 6 a.m.
(the following day)
(a) Flight begins March 28
(b) Subject to Israeli government approval
With its upcoming fall and winter schedule, Delta will add to the more than 40 new international routes already introduced, announced or sought authority to serve since Jan. 1, 2005, including New York (JFK) to Chennai, India (via Paris); New York (JFK) to Berlin, Germany; and Atlanta to Moscow, Russia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to name just a few. These schedule enhancements strengthen Delta's position as both a leading carrier to Latin America as well as the No. 1 U.S. airline across the Atlantic.
Additionally, customers flying Delta between Atlanta and Tel Aviv will have access to the world's most extensive connecting flight schedules thanks to Atlanta's status as the world's largest single-airline hub. Each day, Delta operates flights to 49 destinations in 32 countries from Atlanta, including 150 domestic destinations.
About Israel
Tourism is Israel's number one source of foreign currency income. The country recorded a dramatic 36% growth in tourism in 2004 and 2005. As the land holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims, visiting the Holy Land has been a step of faith for millions for 25 centuries, and more and more 21st Century travelers are visiting Israel for its array of contemporary attractions, including its sophisticated cities, beaches, museums and spas.
About Delta
Delta Air Lines is the world's second-largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offering daily flights to 502 destinations in 88 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem frequent flier miles on more than 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. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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