Of Late significant increase in trans Atlantic traffic Delta Airlines plans to in crease flights to and from Heathrow.The airline has filed papers with the European Commission and the US Department of Transportation to run twice daily services between Heathrow Airport and Boston and daily flights to Miami. If approved, the services will begin on March 27th 2011.
It claims the move will increase competition, which is limited due to the number of airport slots available and the way they are assigned.
Currently, the oneworld alliance, which includes British Airways and American Airlines, has almost 50 per cent of transatlantic slots, while the Star Alliance, which includes BMI and United Airlines, holds 25 per cent.
Just five per cent of slots have been granted to SkyTeam, which includes Delta, KLM and Alitalia.
Glen Hauenstein, Delta’s executive vice president of network planning and revenue management, said: “Delta’s new service would provide more choices and competition for customers travelling between these important US cities and London, one of the most popular destinations in Europe for both business and leisure travellers.”
Some 90 airlines currently operate out of Heathrow Airport, serving 179 destinations worldwide.