Delta Airline Partners Air Nigeria

Delta Airlines, the first airline to fly direct from Ghana to the United States of America (USA) after the demise of Ghana Airways, has partnered Air Nigeria to start its services between Accra and Abuja.

The service, which starts from December 1, 2011, will be a by-weekly flight using a Boeing 767- 300ER aircraft, equipped with 36 business elite seats, 29 seats in economy comfort and 143 seats in economy.

Announcing this at a news conference as part of the 5th anniversary celebration of the airline’s services in Ghana, Delta Airline’s Sales Manager for West and East Africa, Mr Bobby Bryan said, “the new Abuja Flight is great news for customers and means Delta now offers non-stop service from Accra to four international cities reflecting our commitment to this market.”

He said; “With the on-going support of our partner, Air Nigeria, our Abuja service will provide more travel options for our Ghanaian customers as well as facilitate business and commerce between Ghana and Nigeria.”

Mr Bryan said the airline was making huge investments into its operations in its quest to maintain its position as one of the leading airlines in the world.

“We have committed about US$2 billion revamp our operations, all in an effort to give customers the best of service and to make them comfortable and safe using our airline to any destination in the world”, he said.

Mr Bryan mentioned the investments it was making in Ghana as the construction of two new gates at the Kotoka International Airport to allow its customers to have an excellent feel before boarding.

“This investment we make here in Ghana is to a clear demonstration of our commitment to do business in Ghana and the rest of the countries on the continent”, he said.

About the other services the airline intends to provide from next month, he said the airline would have a full flat-bed on its Accra-New York service from next month and also fully celebrate its fifth anniversary since it began operations in South Africa; Ghana and Senegal to the United States.

The acting Director of Commercial for Air Nigeria, Mr Olumide Odebiyi, said Air Nigeria, in partnership with Delta Air Lines, was poised towards making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to its existing routes network to better serve the demands of passengers.

“Air Nigeria is committed towards providing convenient travel options to boost trade relations in the sub region especially on the Accra and Abuja route and beyond to further enhance the service options available to the travelling public throughout Ghana,” he added.

The airline has also introduced West African Business Elite Meals to passengers to give them a feel of how African meals taste before their arrival in the country as well as an economic comfort facility while on board. All these are part of activities geared towards improving its services that will build a premium brand for the company as well as consolidate Delta’s regional position.

Delta Airlines, after five years of its operations in Ghana currently operates a nonstop service from Ghana to New York-JFK, Atlanta and Monrovia and serves six African cities in five African countries.