Originally Posted by DAL4EVER

Any doubters left as to the benefits of the merger? I'm looking to find the other legacy announcements. Now its time to go own the world. Here is a memo from Glen on the announced route additions.

Date: November 12, 2008
To: Delta Colleagues Worldwide
From: Glen Hauenstein
Subject: Glen Memo: Delta To Serve More Unique International Destinations in 2009

Fall at Delta is always an exciting season as we look to the upcoming summer and the new destinations Delta will serve around the world. In 2005, Delta’s network restructuring began in earnest as we shifted internationally capable aircraft to new destinations across the Atlantic. That year, Delta’s revenue per available seat mile, RASM, was about 87 percent of industry average. Three years and more than 90 new international routes later, Delta is generating a premium to our peers with a length of haul-adjusted passenger RASM of 102 percent of the industry average.

Without question, Delta’s smart international growth has positioned us ahead of our competitors and strengthened our hand during tough economic cycles. This strategy is advanced by new opportunities created by our recent merger with Northwest, including the ability to deploy a more flexible fleet to take advantage of market dynamics around the world.

That’s why today we are announcing plans for 15 new international routes beginning in summer 2009, including service to 12 destinations not flown by any other U.S. carrier. In the current atmosphere of international financial uncertainty, the breadth of Delta’s additions across the Pacific, Atlantic and to Africa position us to take advantage of markets that continue to thrive, while offering a natural hedge where there is economic softness.

Delta’s long-haul expansion for 2009 will make Delta the leader in three regions:

• Trans-Pacific: Delta will be the No. 1 U.S. airline to Asia with the planned addition of three new nonstop flights between the United States and Tokyo-Narita, Japan, including new nonstop flights from Salt Lake City3 and New York-JFK1, a second daily flight from Atlanta3, and daily service connecting customers beyond Tokyo to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam1. These flights are in addition to new trans-Pacific service previously announced by Northwest Airlines, including daily nonstop flights between Seattle and Beijing3 beginning March 1 and nonstop service connecting Detroit and Shanghai3, effective March 28.

• Africa: Delta will remain the largest carrier to Africa in 2009. We also expect to be the only U.S. carrier operating direct service to the continent where traffic is projected to grow more than 5 percent annually through 2027. Delta plans to add new flights between Atlanta and Nairobi, Kenya1 and Cape Town, South Africa1,5 (via Dakar, Senegal); between Atlanta and Monrovia, Liberia1,4; Abuja, Nigeria1,4; Luanda, Angola1,4; and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea1,4 (all via Cape Verde); and between New York-JFK and Lagos, Nigeria1. Delta also will introduce its first daily nonstop service to South Africa with flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg1,2.

• Europe/Middle East: Delta will build on its leading position across the Atlantic by focusing on underserved markets with high growth rates and robust traffic patterns. New flights include service between New York-JFK and Gothenberg, Sweden; Prague, Czech Republic1, Valencia, Spain1; and Zurich, Switzerland (seasonal); as well as the addition of a second daily nonstop flight between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv1. As part of its successful joint venture with Air France, Delta also recently announced new nonstop flights connecting Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and Pittsburgh to Air France’s Paris-Charles de Gaulle1 hub, effective June 2009.



Delta’s successful international flying relies on the unmatched connectivity of our U.S. network, with each hub playing a unique role. To that end, Delta will improve connections to the world from our domestic hubs with 14.5 percent more total capacity between Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, New York and Memphis in January 2009 compared with the year prior. Hub-to-hub changes include some new flights, as well as upgauging select regional jet flights with mainline equipment.

As America’s flag carrier to the world, we connect more U.S. cities to more destinations than any other airline. This is an advantage our customers have come to count on, and an advantage for our business as smart growth to the world’s fastest growing economies is a key ingredient of Delta’s proven strategy. Delta continues to hone a distinct and strategic global network that capitalizes on new opportunities created by our recent merger with Northwest; our leading position in New York – the world’s largest business market; and the unparalleled connectivity of Atlanta – the world’s largest passenger hub.

The strength of the Delta network is a key element in the foundation for our success for years to come. It means better opportunity for our customers to fly any place they want to go, more opportunities for our crews to fly higher value flights, and more opportunities for all Delta people to work for a financially secure company.

Your work every day continues to be a pivotal contribution to Delta’s international success. Our airline, even with the most convenient connections to the most destinations around the globe, cannot be successful without your commitment to giving our customers the best service every day.

Together we are one great airline. Thank you for all you do.