For Delta Air Lines the Italian market is of prime importance and this is a record-breaking year, buoyed by unprecedented travel demand.
Italy is a priority market for Delta Air Lines?
This demand has pushed the airlines’ capacity on the Atlantic to the highest levels ever. Particularly significant is the commitment to Italy, which confirms it is a priority market for the Atlanta-based carrier, says Frederic Schenk, Delta Air Lines’ sales manager Southern Europe.
What does Delta's season look like on transatlantic routes?
"In 2023 we have the largest ever operating schedule, including 650 weekly flights across the Atlantic and a 30% increase in capacity compared to 2022. That is 77 routes to 32 destinations in Europe. This season in Italy is also a record one: we are the US company with most flights, operating 12 daily flights from our four US hubs to Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa and Venice."
Delta Air Lines A350
What is the trend in demand?
'Demand on Italian routes has never been so high. Bookings for Delta Air Lines are going extremely well: between January and April we already surpassed 2022 levels, and we are also very close to2019 results. People have been waiting a long time to travel and have also saved money to do so. This positive trend will continue until 2024 and probably even beyond.”
So Italy is greatly relevant for Delta Air Lines....
"The Italian market is undoubtedly a priority: it is among the top three or four most important. Moreover, the capacity offered this year demonstrates this positioning well. The passenger mix depends on the routes and the time of year. This summer there is strong demand on both routes: roughly speaking I would say that a 60 per cent share is American and the remaining 40 per cent Italian.”
Is there room in the future for the opening of new destinations in Italy?
"Today Delta Air Lines operates out of three major Italian airports and work closely with our partners Air France and KLM to offer the widest range of options on transatlantic routes, including through their hubs in Paris and Amsterdam. However, we continue to evaluate the situation in Italy and we could possibly make adjustments when new opportunities arise.”
Has corporate traffic also resumed?
“After lagging behind, it has really picked up again, and we are on track to recover well.”
How do you see the entry of the Lufthansa Group into Ita Airways, which has been your partner for years?
"The agreement is sealed, but not approved. A lot depends on what the European Commission will decide. As I said Italy is a priority market for Delta: just consider the capacity we offer, regardless of whether Ita is our partner or not. You ask if the solution will be the right one? Time will tell. All I can say is that, personally, it saddens me because we had a very good relationship. But...business is business.”
