Delta adds sixth international destination from Memphis

Delta Air Lines has announced it is adding a sixth international destination from its hub at Memphis International Airport with a new weekly flight to Mexico City beginning January 8, 2011.

The new flight fulfills a key goal of Memphis business leaders, which have long requested new service to Mexico’s capital city to boost trade ties between the Mid-South and Mexico.

“Mexico is the second largest trading partner in the Memphis area and this new flight will further strengthen the trade ties between our regions,” said John Moore, CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber.  “When you put together the coming I-69 corridor with the confluence of rail, river and runway here in Memphis, our city is well-positioned to continue growing trade ties to Mexico and Latin America.”

Added Arnold Perl, chairman, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority: “Delta continues to show its confidence in the Memphis hub with new flights and it is critical that the Memphis community continues to demonstrate its partnership and support for our hometown airline.  Each new route is a major investment and our new Mexico City service will only succeed with the support of Memphis-area travelers.”

”For the Mexican Government, this new flight is the natural outcome of the strong, essential and deep relations between my country and Memphis,” said Andres Chao, consul of Mexico based in Little Rock, Ark.  Mr. Chao added Memphis is “an exceptional point of entry and distribution to the United States, both for commercial and leisure travel purposes.”

The new Mexico City flight will operate once weekly, on Saturdays, with 124-seat Airbus A319 aircraft.

In addition to Mexico City, other international destinations served by Delta from Memphis include year-round, daily flights to Amsterdam and Toronto and seasonal flights to Cancun, Cozumel and Montego Bay.  In total, Delta currently offers Memphis customers more than 220 peak-day departures to 82 nonstop destinations.

“Thanks to the support of community leaders, citizens and businesses, Memphis enjoys a level of air service for a community its size that is greater than most any community in America,” said Steve Sear, Delta’s vice president – Global Sales. “From our new flights to Mexico to our long-standing and highly successful daily nonstop flights to Amsterdam, we take very seriously our role in connecting Memphis to the world and remain committed to this hub’s success.”

Delta’s Memphis-to-Mexico City service is currently available for sale to customers at delta.com.