ATLANTA, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today issued the following statement in support of Saudi Arabian Airlines' decision to join the SkyTeam global airline alliance in 2012.  

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"Saudi Arabian's growing hub in Riyadh and extensive network throughout the Middle East will bring Delta customers greater access to destinations across one of the world's most important economic regions," said Charlie Pappas, Delta's vice president – Alliances.  "We are honored that Saudi Arabian has chosen to link its future growth and success with Delta and our SkyTeam partners, while bringing our alliance greater access to destinations across the Middle East."

Saudi Arabian has a broad Middle Eastern and international network that will add 35 new destinations to the SkyTeam alliance network including Alexandria, Islamabad and Colombo. Delta customers can connect onto Saudi Arabian flights at Delta and SkyTeam hubs, including New York-JFK, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Milan.

Saudi Arabia is one of the Middle East's leading economies and one of the world's largest oil producers.  SkyTeam is actively working to grow its presence in the region, with Saudi Arabian Airlines becoming the first Middle Eastern airline to announce its intention to join SkyTeam.  

In 2010, the SkyTeam Alliance saw considerable growth in its tenth anniversary year. Vietnam Airlines and TAROM joined the alliance in June, while China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas are each slated to join by 2012.

More information on Saudi Arabian Airlines and SkyTeam is available in the SkyTeam news release.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 357 destinations in 67 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

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