It's interesting how management puts spin on events to make their outlook look good, when it's really not. Delta mainline is basically falling back in all markets, but DFW is feeling the major shockwaves right now. They're closing the 757/767 pilot base and eliminating all widebody service. There are presumptions that the remaining base (88/90 and 733 crews) will not be around for long. This is all bad news, but look how Delta managment portrays the situation. (this press release was published in the Dallas Morning News).
Spring schedule adds frequencies, connecting banks to Texas hub
ATLANTA, Jan. 9, 2003 -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will <font color="red"> expand service at its Dallas/Fort Worth hub </font> with the introduction of the spring schedule on April 6. The new schedule substantially increases the number of flights Delta offers customers at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and improves travel choices by adding two new connecting banks during peak travel hours.
With the spring schedule, Delta and the Delta Connection will give Dallas/Fort Worth customers 13 percent more flights every day - 272 flights daily with nonstop service to 73 destinations, compared to 240 today. Delta Connection will increase the number of flights from 153 today to 209 by May 2003, while Delta will reduce flights from 87 to 63. The additional Delta Connection flights will feature Bombardier CRJ regional jets, including the new 70-seat aircraft.
"Delta is significantly increasing the number of departures to give customers more convenient connections and expanded travel options while making adjustments to match capacity to the demand in these markets," said Subodh Karnik, senior vice president-Network and Revenue Management.
In addition, Delta will rework its Dallas/Fort Worth flight schedule to offer more connecting opportunities for customers and to make the hub more productive. Flights will be scheduled throughout the day in eight connecting banks, up from today’s six. The two new connecting banks, one at 11:30 a.m. and one at 5:15 p.m., are during peak travel hours.
"Our customers, especially business travelers, tell us that frequency of service is very important to them. This new schedule, with its additional frequencies and connecting banks, is a major enhancement to the service we offer at Dallas/Fort Worth," said Karnik.
Customers traveling between Dallas/Fort Worth and the following 25 cities will enjoy more frequency of flights: Albuquerque, N.M.; Houston (Bush Intercontinental and Hobby), Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans, Birmingham, Baton Rouge and Shreveport, La.; Columbia, S.C.; Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jackson, Miss.; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Fla.; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Louisville, Ky.; Salt Lake City; Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Fayetteville/Bentonville/Springdale, Ark. (Northwest Regional Airport).
Also, with the introduction of its spring schedule, Delta will retire the remainder of its Boeing 727 fleet. The retirement, which was previously announced, is part of Delta’s long-term plan to simplify Delta’s mainline fleet.
"Fleet standardization provides significant cost and operational efficiencies, allowing Delta to save on maintenance costs and pilot training expenses. It also improves fleet reliability, which translates into improved customer service," said Karnik.
Delta Air Lines, the world’s second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offers 5,826 flights each day to 437 destinations in 78 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.