Delta Air Lines Traffic Fell 3.8 percent as Airlines Reduce Capacity

Delta Air Lines traffic fell 3.8 percent in October at the sharpest pace since the beginning of last year as the airline reduced capacity.

Traffic fell 3.8%, the sharpest drop since the company reported a 5% decline in January 2010. Legacy carriers have encountered more difficulty in sustaining traffic gains recently. The carriers have kept fares up as they face higher fuel prices.

In addition, the traffic figures are going up against tougher comparisons to last year’s revival in travel demand. In the year-ago month, Delta reported 8.6% higher traffic, its strongest gain since the recession.

Delta also it decreased capacity 3.1% in October. As fuel prices climb, airlines are tightly managing their capacity to keep costs in check.

Load factor–a measure of plane fullness–fell to 82.8% from 83.4%, as worse occupancy on international flights outweighed better domestic travel.

Last month, Delta reported its third-quarter profit jumped 51% despite pressure for higher fuel costs as it improved the top line. However, fuel hedging effects kept core earnings lower than expected.

Shares were down 0.2% at $8.24 in recent trading, while the wider market was up broadly.

Emirates Airline Launches Daily Nonstop Flight Between Dubai and Geneva

Emirates airlines, the leading UAE airline, launched its inaugural daily non-stop flight between Geneva and Dubai yesterday. Geneva joins Zurich as the airline’s second gateway into Switzerland.

Emirates has commenced flights between Dubai and Geneva and has thus created a link between two of the world’s most renowned international air travel hubs.

The inaugural flight to the Switzerland’s second most populous city took off on Wednesday out of Dubai with passengers from regions such as Australia, Tanzania, India, Kuwait, Iran and Mauritius.

Geneva is Emirates’ second gateway into Switzerland after Zurich. The Dubai to Zurich flight started nearly 20 years ago and the airline now operates double daily flights on the sector.

Emirates, one of the Middle East’s leading airlines, made sure that there was no dearth of fanfare as the first flight prepared itself to take off from the Dubai International Airport. There was a display of traditional Swiss dance performed by a couple in the Emirates’ exclusive Terminal 3. It is reported that the flight was almost full.

A VIP delegation was aboard and comprised the likes of Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline; Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo and Salem Obaidalla, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation. The delegation was welcomed in Geneva by Richard Vaughan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide.

Their special guests were His Excellency, Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart, Swiss Ambassador to the UAE; Brigadier Obaid Mehayer Bin Suroor, Deputy Director of Dubai Naturalisation & Residency Department and Mr. Omar bin Ghalib, Deputy Director General of the GCAA (UAE General Civil Aviation Authority). An international media faction that included representatives from the UAE, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Germany was also a part of the travel.

“This launch, in particular, has a strong international feel about it – linking Dubai, as a global aviation hub and centre for business and tourism with Geneva, a home to so many international organisations and an important financial and banking centre,” Mr Tim Clark was quoted as stating in the Emirates’ official website.

“On the back of our robust financial results, the airline continues to drive forward – connecting key cities around the world,” Mr Clark further added.

Francois Longchamp, State Councillor of the Canton of Geneva and President of the Board of Geneva Airport, eulogised Emirates’ service and brand image.

“We are very pleased to welcome Emirates in Geneva. The airline is a worldwide reference in terms of reputation and quality of service”, he acknowledged.

A gala dinner that featured around 400 guests was also organised yesterday night at the Geneva’s Espace Hippomene to celebrate the launch.

Dubai-Geneva Flight Schedule

EK 089 will leave Dubai airport each day at 0855hrs and arrive in Geneva at 1345hrs. From Geneva, EK 090 will fly off at 1515hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2330hrs.

The Dubai – Geneva service will be operated by a combination of Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ERs. The seats on the aircraft will be arranged in three-class formation. The flights will offer First Class Private Suites for first class passengers and lie-flat seats in Business Class for business class ticket buyers. The aircraft’s economy class cabin has enormous capacity to transport travellers who prefer cheap tickets on flights.

Emirates might not be an airline that is known to dole out cheap flight tickets but the airline is renowned all over the world for its ICE entertainment system as well as its multi-cuisine meals.

Emirates’ each 777 aircraft that will serve the Geneva route will have 15-20 tonnes of cargo capacity – enough space for plenty of luxury watches, high-end fashion goods, relief shipments, pharmaceutical products and electronics.

Delta Airlines Adds Cabin Crew On Northwest Jets

Delta Air Lines Inc. will add flight attendants on some Northwest Airlines Corp. planes to create uniform service in its “business elite” class throughout the merged carrier.

The plans were disclosed last week in a recorded message to employees from Delta Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson. The airline will add one attendant per plane on Boeing Co. 747-400s and Airbus A330s that make international flights. Read more