What type of traffic is Delta Air Lines expecting on the Paris-New York JFK flight, given the continuing restrictions on entry into the United States?
Béatrice de Rotalier - We expect a mix of different types of travellers on this flight, including mainly business travellers and travellers to main reasons. Keeping the international supply chain open is more important today than ever, and these new services will enable suppliers to meet their customers' needs.
Is Delta reopening its flight from Paris because Air France has also resumed its flights?
Béatrice de Rotalier - Delta has taken great care in assessing the reopening of flights to the markets it serves. Delta works closely with its local partner, Air France, as part of the extended joint venture it shares with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic.
What are the traffic forecasts and prospects?
Béatrice de Rotalier - The leisure segment seems to be more resilient than the business segment at the moment. Current forecasts are low, but we hope to see a gradual return to demand. The capacity on board remains limitedDelta has put in place a ceiling by offering more space in its cabins until the end of the month. September to ensure the safety of its passengers.
Will transfer functions at US hubs also be reactivated?
Béatrice de Rotalier - We are following government guidelines and restrictions, and passengers are advised to follow these same recommendations before booking their flights. Some borders remain closed due to the pandemic.
What measures has Delta taken to guarantee the safety of its passengers on board?
Béatrice de Rotalier - In response to Covid-19, Delta has put in place a number of measures to maintain the safety of its passengers on board and in airports. These include disinfecting the aircraft before each flight; using state-of-the-art air circulation systems with HEPA filters that filter out more than 99.99% of fine airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria, on most flights (including all transatlantic flights); capping aircraft capacity to ensure sufficient space for passengers on board; adapting the aircraft access process to allow more space by boarding from the rear to the front of the aircraft, thus reducing the risk of passengers coming into contact with each other; providing individual sanitary products directly to passengers, including hydro-alcoholic gels, depending on availability; asking staff and passengers to wear a mask or other face protection during the journey.
Gradual return to normal in FranceLa caution on a return to pre-pandemic capacity is still the order of the day at Delta Air Lines, as the United States has suspended entry to its territory to all visitors fromSchengen area because of the health risk associated with Covid-19. However, applications for visas for business travel (US B1 visa) are still being processed. studied on a case-by-case basis by consular staff. Delta Air Lines is nonetheless cultivating a degree of optimism, predicting that traffic will return to normal from August onwards. In fact, it has already published its flight resumption programme for the coming months. According to the schedule published online by OAG, Delta Air Lines plans to add a second daily frequency to Atlanta and New York, and to reopen a daily service to Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Raleigh/Durham and Seattle. The airline would also increase its service to Detroit to one flight a day. However, the Nice-New York and Paris-Salt Lake City routes will not be operated this summer. Finally, Delta Air Lines will also be restarting services from Atlanta and New York to Brussels on 1 August. This schedule is, of course, subject to change. |
