BOSTON, March 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines will continue to increase its presence across upstate New York with the addition of 22 new Delta Connection flights at Albany, Massena, Ogdensburg and Watertown, effective April 8. The flights will connect customers in these four upstate cities directly to Delta's gateway at Boston, with additional nonstop service offered between Albany and Watertown with continuing service to Massena and Ogdensburg. Delta Connection carrier Big Sky Airlines will operate the new service.
"Our expansion in Boston and continued growth in New York -- both through our JFK hub and in upstate cities -- offers customers a convenient way to conduct business throughout the Northeast," said Bob Cortelyou, Delta's vice president of Network Planning. "As Boston's leading carrier in terms of flights and destinations, customers in Upstate New York also have new connecting opportunities aboard more than 110 flights to 33 nonstop destinations offered by Delta and its partners."
Delta's new service includes three round-trip flights between Boston and Watertown with continuing service to Massena and Ogdensburg as well as two round-trip flights between Albany and Boston, and one round-trip flight between Albany and Watertown with connecting service to Massena and Ogdensburg.
"This is great news for travelers and businesses across the North County and Capital Region," said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. "There is no question that this significant expansion to a vital international market shows that upstate air service is taking off. This new service will be a shot in the arm and I look forward to working with Big Sky and Delta to continue this exciting expansion."
Big Sky Airlines will operate the service using 19-seat Beechcraft 1900D aircraft, featuring stand-up cabins. Customers flying the new service will enjoy the extensive amenities afforded by Delta's new Terminal A facility at Logan Airport, including business services, shopping and restaurants. The new terminal boasts state-of-the-art technology to ensure a convenient travel experience for customers, including 32 self-service kiosks, gate information display screens at every gate and two Crown Room Clubs.
"Big Sky Airlines is excited to become a Delta Connection carrier. We are delighted to provide improved air service and lower fares for upstate New York," said Fred deLeeuw, president - Big Sky Airlines. "Travelers from upstate New York can now conveniently and affordably travel to Boston and beyond using Delta's extensive nonstop service to popular destinations throughout the United States and the world."
In December, Delta announced an agreement with Big Sky Airlines through which Delta would grow its Boston operation with an 18 percent increase in departures. Big Sky initially will fly eight Beechcraft 1900D aircraft on short-haul routes in the Northeast, including those announced today. Additional routes will be announced later this spring.
Today, Delta offers passengers the most flights to the most destinations from Boston compared to any domestic airline. With the March 2007 schedule, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer 33 daily departures to 103 nonstop destinations. As a member of the SkyTeam(r) global alliance, Delta offers Boston customers the ability to fly non-stop to key business and leisure destinations in Europe aboard SkyTeam partners Air France and Alitalia.
Big Sky Airlines currently serves 18 cities in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, Colorado, Wyoming and Illinois. Big Sky Transportation Co. is a wholly owned subsidiary of MAIR Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:MAIR).
Delta Air Lines (Other OTC:DALRQ) offers customers service to more destinations than any global airline with Delta and Delta Connection carrier service to 308 destinations in 52 countries. With more than 60 new international routes added in the last year, Delta is America's fastest growing international airline and is a leader across the Atlantic with flights to 31 trans-Atlantic destinations. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 600 weekly flights to 58 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles 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. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 458 worldwide destinations in 99 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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Travel for some itineraries may be provided by Delta Connection carriers Comair and Chautauqua.