Type to search

Tourism/Transportation

Delta Air Lines marks 60 years in Puerto Rico

Six decades ago Delta started services to Puerto Rico on Jan. 10, 1953, when a Lockheed Constellation plane took off from Memphis bound for San Juan. (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)

Six decades ago Delta started services to Puerto Rico on Jan. 10, 1953, when a Lockheed Constellation plane took off from Memphis bound for San Juan. (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)

Delta Air Lines is marking its 60th anniversary of uninterrupted service in Puerto Rico, highlighting the key role the island plays in the continued growth and development of the company’s Latin American network and in the New York market.

“Delta is part of Puerto Rico and its history,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president— Latin America and the Caribbean. “Our commitment to the economic development of the island has withstood the test of time and we continue to respond and adapt to Puerto Ricans’ travel needs as well as to the demands of the business and tourism sectors with increased services and capacity to this key market.”

Ferri said Delta’s commitment to Puerto Rico is as strong as ever as the airline works to become the best airline in Latin America and the Caribbean. Puerto Rico also plays a vital role in Delta’s success in the New York market, home to nearly 900,000 people of Puerto Rican descent, or 27 percent of the Latino population living there.

“It is crucial that we meet the travel needs of Puerto Ricans both in the mainland and in the island both for business as well as leisure,” said Gail Grimmett, Delta’s senior vice president — New York and guest speaker at the anniversary celebration. “Because Puerto Rico is crucial to New York’s success we are diligently working to meet our customers’ expectations by offering increased connectivity, enhanced on-board services and state-of-the-art technology applied to travel.”

In May 2012, Delta tripled the number of flights it operates between John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and San Juan. This summer, a fourth daily flight between JFK and San Juan will further expand options for Delta’s customers.

‘Increased connectivity’
Later this year, in May, customers will benefit from the $1.4 billion expansion and enhancement of Terminal 4 at JFK. The new terminal will provide increased international access to customers from Puerto Rico traveling to New York and will offer a state of the art facility to those traveling to the island.

Delta’s expanded San Juan-JFK service means increased connectivity to New York and 31 international destinations.

Delta also connects Puerto Rico to its Atlanta hub with 21 to 35 weekly frequencies depending on seasonality. From Atlanta, Puerto Ricans have access to the more than 1,000 daily flights to 208 destinations that Delta operates, including nonstop service to 65 international destinations.

“Delta has been part of the life of Puerto Ricans since 1953. Our planes have transported intellectuals, politicians, musicians, artists, sports figures, tourists and the business people that fuel the Island’s economic development,” said James Sarvis, Delta’s vice president of airport customer service, stations. “We are proud of being here for hundreds of thousands of Puerto Rican families who trust Delta to bring them to their business and pleasure destinations.”

Six decades ago Delta started services to Puerto Rico on Jan. 10, 1953, when a Lockheed Constellation plane took off from Memphis bound for San Juan.

 

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
Tags:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *