Delta Air Lines to launch Shanghai-Detroit service

DELTA Air Lines will start a new service from Shanghai to Detroit in June, Logistics Week reported.

Delta CEO Richard Anderson said China is still the chief target market of many carriers even during such a time as world economic downturn, and the launch is a demonstration of Delta's determination to be a major participant in the Chinese market.

Mr Anderson is confident that Detroit is an important air hub offering transit to other cities in US or Canada.

The Chinese market accounts for nearly 5 per cent in Delta's global sales volume, but Mr Anderson said Delta is taking China as the greatest potential market and believes that China is playing an increasingly important role.

Delta operates lines from Shanghai to Atlanta and Tokyo. Mr Anderson said Delta is also interested in routes from Beijing and Shanghai to New York.

Delta president Edward Bastian said lower oil prices and the fast growth of the new markets helped prompt the decision to expand these services.

Delta is going to use Boeing 747-400 on the Shanghai-Detroit service.

Delta merged with US Northwest Airlines in October 2008 and became the largest air carrier in the world.

Source: Schednet