Delta announces launch of new international services

Following on the heels of its acquisition of Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, the largest carrier in the world, has said this week that it is planning to add 15 international routes to its network from the spring of 2009. It remains unclear whether this would mean another year that sees a large growth in capacity outside the U.S. as the carrier reduces frequencies of flights on other routes.

Many of Delta’s routes will connect the U.S. with Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Several major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, have raised airfares, added new fees and raised others, and made significant cuts to their domestic capacity in 2008. The same carriers has also indicated that, due to the deepening financial crisis in the U.S., they are prepared to make further cuts in domestic service next year, as necessary.

Although the international sector has been targeted by many airlines as a place to grow because of the profitability involved, even Delta, with its double-digit growth in international capacity during 2008, is beginning to slow down.

“They’re selectively picking the winners and losers for international routes,” said Ray Neidl, a Calyon Securities airline analyst. “It’s not the time to be in expansion mode.”

Neidl added that Delta and other major carriers are reducing their focus on routes that can’t be quickly developed, and spending more resources on those they can develop in the near term.

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