Delta Launches Chennai Service

Charmaine Fernz - Mumbai

Come May 11, 2005, Delta Airlines will launch its Chennai services with a daily service from the metro. Commenting on the new service, Rodney D'Cruz, manager - sales - India, Delta Airlines said, " This new service will further strengthen our presence in the Indian market. With our current network frequencies (ie a daily service from Mumbai and the to - be launched daily service from Chennai) and along with our alliance partners (daily service from Air France, six flights from Alitalia and three from Korean Air), we are providing our Indian passengers sufficient connections to the US. Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft will service the Chennai route."

Elaborating on the airline's plans and the need to launch the Chennai service, D'Cruz added, "Our network analysis team constantly keeps a track on the various countries we fly to and their potential cities. Based on their analysis, a specific destination is chosen, which in the case of India has now been Chennai. Subsequently, the city has the highest number of passengers flying out of the South, a bigger catchment area and finally, a better gateway. On futuristic note, we would continue to evaluate routes and other potential destinations. Based on the market demand, we would also consider restarting the Mumbai-Frankfurt route. However these plans are still in the pipeline."

In conclusion, D'Cruz provided his views on the current commission cut scenario and Delta's take on the issue. "We are not part of this decision but would respond to the market reaction as and when taken," he added.