Delta applies to launch Detroit-Sao Paulo service, as part of Detroit expansion

Delta Air Lines filed (09-Apr-2010) with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to commence twice weekly service between Detroit Metro Airport and Sao Paulo (Brazil) with 216-seat B767-300ER aircraft, effective 04-Nov-2010, as part of efforts to strengthen Detroit's role as major East Coast international gateway. Delta already holds certain rights to operate Sao Paulo service, but requires DoT permission to operate from Detroit. The governments of the US and Brazil have agreed to an expansion of US carrier opportunities, and Delta has separately applied for new rights to increase Detroit-Sao Paulo frequency to daily as soon as permitted by Brazil. Between Brazil and the US, Delta currently offers more than 30 weekly services, to destinations including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, and Manaus from Detroit, and between New York JFK and and Sao Paulo and Atlanta and Brasilia. Other planned or recently launched Delta routes from Detroit include:

• Detroit to Shanghai: Service expanded from five-times weekly to daily, effective 01-May-2010;
• Detroit to Seoul Incheon: New five-times weekly service from 01-Jun-2010;
• Detroit to Hong Kong: New five-times weekly service effective 02-Jun-2010;
• Detroit to Rome: New daily Summer seasonal service, first introduced in Jun-2009 and resuming on 01-Jun-2010;
• Detroit to Tokyo Haneda: Planned daily service pending US DoT approval.[more - Detroi Metropolitan Airport] [more - Delta]