ATLANTA, May 22, 2003 - The hard work and training of more than 7,900 Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) aircraft maintenance technicians has been rewarded this year with the fifth consecutive Diamond Award of Excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Diamond award, the highest honor given by the FAA, recognizes Delta’s dedication to continued improvement in aviation safety through education.
“Every year, Delta has more employees participate than that of all the other airlines combined,” said Steve Cummins, manager of the FAA’s Delta Certificate Management Office.

This award honors technician’s participation in extracurricular training and continuing aviation education. In 2002, 97 percent of all Delta Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) volunteered to take part in this national maintenance training recognition program. This represents an investment of more than 523,300 hours of training delivered in classrooms and other training media all over the world.

“Our employees are the best of the best,” said Ray Valeika, senior vice president - Technical Operations. “We are proud of our employees’ professionalism and dedication to continued learning. Their hard work sets the highest standards for our maintenance operation, providing customers with safe and reliable travel.”

Delta has received the Diamond Award of Excellence each year since joining the program in 1998. Examples of approved training for the award include FAA and industry training seminars, on-the-job technical training, and college level courses in math, science or management related subjects.

“By encouraging aviation maintenance technicians to continue their education, Delta is challenging them to remain on the leading edge of aviation safety while enhancing their personal and professional growth,” said Cummins. “This encouragement is exactly why the AMT program was founded, and we commend Delta on their outstanding accomplishment in this important safety-enhancing program.”
Delta’s Technical Operations Division, staffed by more than 10,000 maintenance professionals from around the world, provides maintenance and engineering support services for Delta’s fleet of aircraft in addition to a number of customer aircraft. Services range from project engineering to comprehensive turnkey agreements that provide all aircraft maintenance services to its customers.

Delta Air Lines, the world’s second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offers 5,386 flights each day to 435 destinations in 78 countries on Delta, Song, 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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