Delta Air Lines to expand Europe service from U.S. hubs

Delta Air Lines will strengthen its leading position in the New York market by offering new year-round daily service from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Zurich Airport and expanded service to Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport. Zurich and Rome are two important business markets in Europe and provide a valuable link to the financial center of the U.S.

"As the primary business market on the trans-Atlantic, demand continues to increase for more nonstop flights from New York to European destinations," said Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president - New York. "Zurich ranks fourth in terms of business traffic from New York, and our additional service will build on the commercial, tourism and community links between these two cities."

The Zurich flight will be operated using a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in the BusinessElite cabin. Daily Zurich service will begin effective June 16, 2014 and during the summer will complement the airline's existing service from Atlanta. Rome service will operate daily from April to October on an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, and then five times per week in November, December and March on a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in conjunction with Delta joint venture partner Alitalia. 

Effective this winter, Delta and its joint venture partners Air France-KLM and Alitalia are also expanding service to key European hubs at Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. From Atlanta, the joint venture will offer additional daily nonstop service for a total of four daily flights to both Amsterdam and Paris, timed to provide customers with more connecting opportunities to destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

"With the most established joint venture across the Atlantic, we are in a unique position to collaborate with our joint venture partners to make full use of our combined fleet and networks to best serve our customers," said Glen Hauenstein, Delta's executive vice president and chief revenue officer. "Delivering more hub-to-hub flying provides a network with higher frequencies and tailored schedules for our trans-Atlantic travelers."

Read More

London Luton airport set for expansion

London Luton Airport is set to be expanded after Luton Borough Council were given the go ahead to grant consent for a proposed project.

The Department for Communities and Local Government, gave approval, to London Luton Airport Operations Ltd and its new owners, Ardian and Aena's £98 million (€115 million) transformation.

The application has been subjected to intense and rigorous scrutiny over the past 12 months from neighbouring councils, independent third party specialists and by the local planning authority,  who twice extended the period required to review the plans.

Before the plans were formally submitted, proposals to improve the airport were subject to two public consultations.

The 65% of respondents who took part in the consultation on LLAOL’s development plans said they supported proposals to develop the airport.

They all stated their support for the economic benefits to Luton and the wider region, and the need to generate 5,100 new jobs, including a contribution to a reduction in youth unemployment.

Construction will take place over three phases and see the expansion, modernization and remodeling of the terminal building including:

- Up to 20 security passenger screening lanes.

- 15 immigration passenger screening lanes.

- Up to eight international and one domestic passenger reclaim belts.

- Increased retail, catering, circulation and seating areas.

- A new two-storey pier.

- Dual the road from the Holiday Inn roundabout to a newly configured road system in front of the central terminal area.

- Build a new parallel taxiway to unlock capacity for an additional six million passengers a year from the existing runway.

- Build a new multi-storey car park.

Glyn Jones, managing director of the airport says: “We are delighted that after a thorough process, the council can proceed to grant planning permission for London Luton.

“We see this as a real vote of confidence in the airport and its future, underlining the determination of our new owners, Ardian and Aena, to develop and radically improve London Luton and deliver a better airport experience for our passengers in the years to come.

“The opportunities it brings for the local economy in terms of jobs and investment are significant, and Luton can now press ahead with making its local airport bigger and better, while remaining a good neighbour.”

Spain-based Aena, bought London Luton last year, and hopes to get approval to boost the capacity to up to 18mppa.

It is London's 4th biggest airport and in 2013 handled 9.7 million passengers, but has capacity for up to 12 million.

Read More