Delta Air Lines is inaugurating the only flights operated by a major U.S. airline between the United States and Nigeria with daily nonstop service between the world’s largest airline hub in Atlanta and Lagos, Nigeria - one of Africa’s largest business centers. Delta, the only US airline to fly to Africa, already offers service between Atlanta and Johannesburg, South Africa (via Dakar, Senegal), and between New York-JFK and Accra, Ghana.

“We are pleased to begin our next wave of service expansion between the United States and Africa,” said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president - Network Planning and Revenue Management. “As a leader in global aviation, we continuously look to develop high potential new markets. Africa has a significant and rapidly growing demand, and we’re proud to be the only U.S. airline to offer service to the continent.

“Whether you are flying for business or pleasure, we offer our customers a wide variety of destinations through the world’s largest connecting gateway operated by Delta in Atlanta. No longer do you have to connect in a European gateway in order to fly to Nigeria.”

During 2008, Delta will add a second daily nonstop flight between the United States and Nigeria with service between Lagos and New York-JFK, beginning June 9, 2008*. Delta also will add other African routes in 2008, including flights to Nairobi, Kenya (via Dakar, effective June 2)*; Cape Town, South Africa (via Dakar, effective June 3)*; and Cairo, Egypt (effective June 4)*. With this expansion, Delta will serve a total of seven African cities in six countries.

Delta’s Lagos service is one of six new trans-Atlantic routes to be launched this year, strengthening Delta’s presence as a leading carrier across the Atlantic. The flight is an integral part of the airline’s strategy of international growth to offer more nonstop departures to more destinations worldwide.

Delta customers flying to Nigeria will enjoy the comfort of the widebody Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with the capacity to carry up to 214 passengers, 36 of which are in Delta’s award-winning BusinessElite® class, featuring all-leather sleeper seats with 152 cm of legroom, innovative food offerings designed by celebrity chefs and industry-leading, on-demand personal in-seat entertainment. Economy class customers also will benefit from new all-leather economy seats, amenity kits, enhanced food offerings and a complimentary cocktail with each meal.
——-