Delta Air Lines announced plans to recall approximately 200 additional pilots in 2007. This latest recall expands on the approximately 250 previously furloughed pilots that have been recalled since June 2005.

“Delta pilots are key to our plan and the ongoing transformation of our international network and we are thrilled to be calling more of our people back to work,” said Jim Whitehurst, Delta’s chief operating officer. “By every indication, including this and other recent employee recalls, Delta’s plan is working and we are on track.”

“Flight Operations is very pleased to be recalling more of our pilots back to service at Delta. We look forward to further supporting the company’s network restructuring and international expansion,” said Captain Steve Dickson, vice-president of Flight Operations and a 757/767 Captain. “This is a very positive development and I am hopeful that we will be able to offer recall to all remaining pilots on furlough this year based on Delta’s plans for international flying.”

Much of the new flying is a result of the 2007 international expansion and Delta’s planned acquisition of 13 Boeing 757 aircraft.

Delta also has assembled a team to oversee a revamped pilot hiring process should the need for new-hire pilots come to fruition after the completion of furlough recalls next year.

Earlier this month, Delta announced a recall of 700 maintenance professionals and 1,000 flight attendants. To date in 2006, Delta has announced the recalls of approximately 900 maintenance professionals and 1,200 flight attendants. In September, Delta announced its second pilot recall of 2006, with a total of approximately 130 pilots recalled this year. The company continues to hire in its Airport Customer Service and Reservations divisions.

Delta continues to make significant progress in all areas of its restructuring and remains focused on its plan to emerge from Chapter 11 during the first half of 2007 as a stand-alone carrier.

Delta Air Lines offers customers service to more destinations than any global airline with Delta and Delta Connection carrier service to 290 destinations in 46 countries. With more than 70 new international routes added or announced in the last year, Delta is America’s fastest growing international airline and is a leader across the Atlantic with flights to 28 trans-Atlantic destinations. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 400 weekly flights to 49 destinations. Delta’s marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 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 445 worldwide destinations in 92 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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