ATLANTA, Sept. 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delta Air Lines has resumed operations to New Orleans and is expanding service to Gulfport/Biloxi, Miss., even as it continues to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the affected region. The first Delta flight arrived at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans at 11 a.m. today.
"Delta was honored to play a role in providing relief to those affected by Hurricane Katrina's ravages," said Jerry Grinstein, CEO of Delta Air Lines. "Over the past two weeks, our flight crews have flown more than 30 planes full of evacuees -- about 3,000 people -- from the city's devastation. Now, Delta is focused on the next phase of Katrina's aftermath -- beginning the efforts to clean-up and rebuild this great city."
On both Wednesday and Thursday, Delta will operate two flights between New Orleans and Atlanta. Beginning Friday, Delta is scheduled to operate a larger portion of its pre-Katrina flying, with four daily flights between New Orleans and Atlanta, and one daily flight between New Orleans and Cincinnati. At present, flights may only take off and land at the New Orleans airport during daylight hours, but Delta plans to expand its New Orleans schedule as soon as the airport and surrounding areas are fully operational.
Passengers coming to Armstrong International are reminded that both Jefferson Parish and the City of New Orleans are still under mandatory evacuation and many other surrounding areas are operating under curfew. Delta reminds customers to research ground transportation and accommodation options before traveling to New Orleans. Only a few local hotels are open with limited availability and rental car services are limited.
Delta also resumed service to Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport on Saturday, with three daily flights offered by Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines.
Delta employees have donated tons of supplies including plywood, food, water, toilet paper and generators to the affected region. The airline is partnering with FEMA to operate chartered flights into and out of the New Orleans airport to bring evacuees to safe locations throughout the country.
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 487 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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