Delta Air Lines this week began a twice-weekly service between Abujaand New York, the first direct flight connecting the Nigerian capitaland the United States.
Theworld's biggest airline says the new service would strengthen businessand tourism between Nigeria and the United States. Delta expects toexpand the Abuja-New York service to three flights per week startingnext month.
Abuja is the second destination in Nigeria to beserved by Delta Air Lines. The airline's route to Lagos, Nigeria'scommercial capital, is one of its most profitable.
Delta'scommercial manager, Bobby Bryan, told reporters that Nigeria was a keyaspect of the airline's international network plans.
"I want toemphasize our commitment to the Nigerian market," he said. "This newflight is a key part of Delta's African expansion and ensures that wemaintain our position as the number one US carrier to Nigeria and morebroadly to Africa."
Delta currently operates flights from theUnited States to five African destinations; Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana,Senegal and South Africa. International routes have become moreprofitable options for U.S. airlines struggling under a weakeningdomestic economy.
Delta plans to switch to bigger aircraft inJuly to cope with the high demand for its service between Lagos andAtlanta, offering an additional 50 seats for the Lagos market.
Theleading U.S. carrier says it is also excited about the additional cargoopportunities the new Abuja route will provide, offering same-dayshipment to many cities across the United States.