Delta Proposes New Service to Africa

ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines Inc., the nation’s third-largest carrier, announced Thursday proposed service from Atlanta to Africa.

The company said if the new routes to Dakar, Senegal, and Johannesburg, South Africa, are approved by the Department of Transportation, Delta would become the only U.S. carrier with scheduled service between the United States and the African continent.

World Airways, based in Peachtree City, Ga., offers chartered service to South Africa, Delta spokeswoman Chris Kelly said.

The announcement was made during a morning news conference at the Carter Presidential Library and Museum that was attended by former United Nations ambassador Andrew Young and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.

The new service would begin in December if Delta receives DOT approval.

In the past, Delta has marketed service from the U.S. to South Africa through a partnership with South African Airways. The new service would be offered using Delta’s own planes.

Delta expects the new service to be used by 130,000 passengers a year, said Jim Whitehurst, the airline’s chief operating officer.

Atlanta-based Delta, which filed for bankruptcy protection in New York on Sept. 14, has been expanding its international service the last several months as part of its turnaround plan.