Airlines India, Indian Airlines

Delta airlines of United States has proposed to start its direct flight from New York to Mumbai from November 2006 and has entered into an interline agreement with Mumbai based Kingfisher Airlines. As per the agreement, Kingfisher Airlines will carry all the Delta’s passengers to their final destinations in India. Kingfisher shall provide a connecting flight which will depart within 2 hours from the arrival of Delta flight in Mumbai. This will keep the weiry passengers from waiting hours together at airports for conneting flights. These connecting flights will be available at the Mumbai International Airport and the passengers will not have to move to domestic airport for their connecting flight.

The passengers travelling India through Delta Airlines will be able to buy tickets for travelling to indian cities along with their Delta ticket. Kingfisher is also widening its network of agents in United States to sell tickets of Kingfisher Airlines in United States.

Kingfisher already has interline agreements with American Airlines, North West, Continental, Air India, Qutar Airways, etc. The airline, by concluding such agreements, is proving its quality of service which is being availed by international airlines for their international passengers.

Delta Air Lines Inc. said Thursday it is using a new tool to more evenly space its landings at its Atlanta hub, hoping to cut its fuel bill by as much as $6 million this year.

The tool, called Attila, is one of several efforts the airline has made to cut fuel consumption, as the industry battles rising jet fuel prices. Delta, which is operating in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, said it expects to realize more than $40 million in fuel savings this year through its various programs.

Attila links Delta flight cockpits with the airline’s operation control center, helping to cut airspace congestion and fuel burn.

Among other measures scheduled for this year, Delta plans to remove magazine racks from planes to save weight. It is one of four employee-suggested methods the airline is adopting.

Delta also said it has about 49 percent of its anticipated third-quarter fuel needs hedged, as of July 31. Airlines, notably Southwest Airlines Co., have been able to cut fuel expenses and volatility through fuel hedges, but hedges generally require strong balance sheets.

Delta shares rose a penny to 71 cents in afternoon over-the-counter trading.

Delta Airlines wants to outsource to cut costs

Delta Air Lines has requested a bankruptcy judge to let them outsource the work to manage their computer systems.

The airline company wants IBM Corp to look after their computer networks as they claim it would help them save substantially on the costs.

Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton declined to reveal on how much the company expects to save if the courts allow them to outsource this work to IBM.

However, such a decision would affect as many as 200 workers in the company. Delta said in a statement: “The agreement will allow Delta to take advantage of IBM’s computer expertise so that Delta can focus its restructuring efforts on air transportation, and entering into and performing under the agreement will lead to cost savings for Delta.”

Delta AirElite Business Jets has joined with Bombardier Inc. to offer more flexibility for customers booking trips.

The Flexjet 25 jet card allows members of the Flexjet Membership program to charter jets without a long-term commitment or capital investment, Delta AirElite said in a news release.

Under the Flexjet program, members can request specific aircraft which are part of Bombardier’s dedicated Flexjet fleet. With the Flexjet 25 card, they can schedule blocks of time and days on Learjet 45, Learjet 60 or Challenger 604 aircraft.

Cincinnati-based Delta AirElite provides aircraft charter and aircraft management services. It is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines (Pink Sheets: DALRQ). Delta Air Lines is the largest carrier flying out of Dayton International Airport.

Delta Airlines (DALRQ.PK) announced that it is proceeding with the termination of the Delta Pilots Retirement Plan by filing a motion seeking U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval of the termination. The company said that it was seeking termination because the costs for the plans are unaffordable and would prevent the company from successfully reorganizing and emerging from bankruptcy.

The plan is not opposed by the Air Line Pilots Association, representing 6800 pilots.

The company provided its active and retired pilots with a Notice of Intent to terminate the pilot plan on June 19, 2006. The company noted that Delta’s other defined benefit pension plan, covering 91 thousand employees would not be affected by this action.