Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) said today that the United States Department of Transportation approved its application to operate daily nonstop service connecting Salt Lake City Airport and Washington Reagan National Airport.

Delta said the new nonstop service, which begins in early 2003, will allow it to achieve its strategic goal to compete more aggressively in the region and strengthen its Salt Lake City hub. The carrier said this convenient new link will provide significant customer service opportunities and economic activity for business in Salt Lake City and throughout the Intermountain region.

“This DOT award represents a recognition that Delta’s Salt Lake City hub best meets the government’s goal of providing the greatest service and competitive benefits from the West to Reagan National Airport. It also signifies a major boost to both Salt Lake City and Delta by providing an opportunity to grow and enhance Delta’s excellent partnership with Salt Lake City and the Intermountain region” said Scott Yohe, Delta’s senior vice president - Government Affairs. “We are very thankful for the tremendous support from government, business and civic representatives in Salt Lake City, the state of Utah and the entire Intermountain area. This opportunity will enable us to build on our commitment and to better serve Salt Lake City.”

Delta will operate the new daily round-trip service using Boeing 757 aircraft with 183 seats and a two-class seating configuration.

Delta Air Lines, the world’s second largest carrier in terms of passengers carried and the U.S. airline with the most transatlantic destinations, offers 5,843 flights each day to 426 destinations in 76 countries on Delta, Delta Express, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection and Delta’s worldwide partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. For more information, please go to delta.com.

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