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Delta and SkyTeam Partners Withdraw Antitrust Immunity Application

Delta disappointed with DOT ruling

ATLANTA, Jan. 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delta today issued the following statement in regard to the withdrawal of the application for antitrust immunity by six members of the SkyTeam alliance:

"Delta and its SkyTeam partners Northwest, KLM, Air France, Alitalia and CSA Czech have notified the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) of their decision to withdraw an application for antitrust immunity (ATI) involving their trans-Atlantic operations. The decision to withdraw the application was made based on the precedent that DOT typically does not alter its initial rulings.

Although the application has been withdrawn, Delta is still committed to ATI and the customer benefits it provides for fair and constructive competition between international alliances. Delta feels that DOT's decision not to approve ATI represents a major retreat from the open market and pro-competitive policies the U.S. Government has pursued since 1993. ATI would benefit the traveling public by allowing Delta and its SkyTeam partners to offer international customers more transatlantic service, shorter travel times, more departure times and better opportunities to find discounted fares by choosing alternative routes to a destination. Delta will continue working with its SkyTeam partners in building on the existing customer service offerings within the bounds of the current immunity. The six members of the alliance will renew this application for expanded transatlantic immunity at the appropriate time."

Delta Air Lines is the world's second-largest airline in terms of passengers carried, offering daily flights to 503 destinations in 94 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. In summer 2006, Delta will be the world's leading carrier across the Atlantic as it launches flights to 11 new European destinations from its Atlanta and New York-JFK hubs. Delta also is a major carrier to Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, with more than 35 routes announced, added or applied to serve since Jan. 1, 2005. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

The Delta logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1825

CONTACT:  Delta Air Lines
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          404-715-2554