New Delta routes to Make It No. 2 U.S.-Mexico Zarrier

In a bid to capture more business from Hispanic travelers, Delta Air Lines is expanding its presence in Mexico and Central America this winter, with 16 new routes from Los Angeles and a handful from other U.S. cities, including Atlanta.

Delta said the moves should make it the second-largest carrier in the U.S.-Mexico market, at least in terms of destinations. Continental Airlines claims the most destinations and flights.

Delta said Monday that it plans to begin nonstop service between Atlanta and Leon/Guanajuato, Mexico, on Dec. 1.

Meanwhile, Delta or its feeder airlines will add flights from Los Angeles to nine Mexican destinations: La Paz, Acapulco, Loreto, Mazatlan, Culiacan, Manzanillo, Zacatecas, Hermosillo and Torreon. New flights also go to Liberia, Costa Rica; and Guatemala City.

The planned flights from Los Angeles will be phased in between Dec. 16 and March 8, and most are subject to approval by foreign regulators.

Delta, which has made international expansion a cornerstone of its Chapter 11 reorganization effort, is also adding more flights between Mexico and New York, Salt Lake City and Orlando.

With the changes, Delta said it will fly to 20 Mexican destinations, and its Los Angeles operation will grow from 17 destinations and 42 daily flights to 33 destinations and 63 daily flights worldwide.

"Los Angeles is at the heart of Hispanic culture in the United States and we are pleased to expand our service to meet the needs of our customers in this growing West Coast market," said the head of Delta's network and revenue management, Glen Hauenstein, in a statement.

Delta said it is also adding new service from Los Angeles to five domestic market targeted for Hispanic customers, including Las Vegas and four California cities.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.