Delta and ExpressJet Announce Plans to Mutually Terminate Flying Agreement
Customers of impacted flights are eligible for rebooking
ATLANTA, July 3, 2008 – Delta (NYSE: DAL) and ExpressJet have mutually agreed to cease all ExpressJet Delta Connection operations as of Sept. 1, 2008.
ExpressJet currently operates 23 ERJ-145 aircraft for Delta Connection on flights that primarily operate out of Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. Delta intends to award a portion of this flying, including all routes currently operated by ExpressJet at its Salt Lake City hub, to another Delta Connection carrier. Delta will rebook customers whose scheduled service is impacted by these changes.
“We are pleased to be able to reach a mutual agreement on the termination of our partnership with ExpressJet,” said Don Bornhorst, senior vice president – Delta Connection. “While we expect minimal impact to customers, Delta will work to ensure that alternate transportation options are arranged as quickly as possible.”
"With the losses we were experiencing from our Delta pro-rate flying combined with our ability to return aircraft to the lessor, this termination of service is in the best interest of our company," said Jim Ream, ExpressJet President and Chief Executive Officer.
After Sept. 1, ExpressJet will retain the 23 ERJ-145 aircraft it currently flies Delta Connection.
Customers with impacted flights scheduled on ExpressJet will be notified by Delta reservations agents and offered alternate flights or refunds if their flights have been cancelled. Customers can also contact Delta directly at 1-800-221-1212.
Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 327 destinations in 62 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 44 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 609 weekly flights to 62 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 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 499 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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