ORANJESTAD- Delta Airlines is significantly expanding its flight offerings, adding new destinations and increasing service to existing routes across its network. This includes the addition of a second daily nonstop flight between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport, starting this winter.
The Caribbean island of Aruba is a major beneficiary of Delta’s expansion plans. From the winter season, Delta will be doubling its daily nonstop flights from Atlanta to Aruba, capitalizing on Atlanta’s position as a significant national connection hub. The added flight will be operating seasonally from December 16 to January 7, just in time for the peak holiday season.
In addition to Aruba, Delta is also adding new destinations and bolstering services to other routes from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The airline announced that destinations with added or increased service include Milwaukee, Austin, Nashville, Charlotte, Newark, Philadelphia, and Calgary. Adam Ryan, the managing director of airport operations for Delta at Salt Lake International, noted, “We are adding about 20 flights per day. We’ll be up to 230 peak day departures for our summer schedule, serving over 90 destinations across the globe”.
These additions coincide with the opening of new gates at SLC, allowing the airline to welcome 2,500 additional passengers a day. This expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2023, providing Delta with more room to grow at one of its major west coast hubs. Ryan explained the potential of this development, saying, “All those gates that accommodate aircraft from the CRJ-700 up to a 737-900 and then many more wide-body capable gates really diversify what we can do here”.
As air travel continues to recover from the pandemic, Delta’s expansion comes at a critical time. Summer 2023 is expected to break records with the number of travelers choosing to get to their destinations by air. To ensure a smooth travel experience, passengers are advised to book reservations early and to arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure.
These enhancements to Delta’s service showcase the airline’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for air travel and offering more convenient options to its passengers. As the industry continues to adapt to a post-pandemic world, Delta’s expansion strategy is a significant step towards accommodating the surge in air travel.
